10 Things Your Injury Lawyer Should Know
You may need the services of an injury lawyer to help you file an injury claim after an accident resulting from the negligence of another person or party. But what are the important things that you should let your lawyer know?
In personal injury claims, plaintiffs bear the burden of proving that the other party (defendant) is responsible for their injuries. An injury attorney helps you prove that you’re the injured party who needs to be compensated. It’s no wonder why most people hire a car accident attorney in Anchorage when pursuing injury claims after being involved in a car accident.
What You Should Disclose to Your Injury Attorney
If you’ve recently been involved in an accident and require the help of an injury attorney, you should share everything about the accident with your attorney. Leaving out minor details could significantly impact and cost your case. With that in mind, the following are some of the vital details that you should share with your injury lawyer before they even start working on the case:
- Discuss Prior Accidents or Injuries
One of the roles of your defense attorney is to ensure you receive the maximum compensation possible. Unfortunately, the legal world can be unfair because one of the popular ways used by lawyers to reduce their clients’ liability is blaming the effects of past accidents and injuries on the current situation. That said, your lawyer will find it harder to defend you if you do not discuss prior accidents.
- Discuss Your Bankruptcy Status
Your bankruptcy status could impact your injury claim and that’s why you should discuss it with your attorney. Discussing your past declarations is important because non-economic damages are considered assets to your estate.
- Discuss Your Criminal History
Your criminal history should be disclosed to your lawyer, including details you’re your juvenile records. Why? Because the defense will likely run a background check and try to find loopholes to discredit you or your claim.
Always remember any criminal history can make you look untrustworthy and hurt your claim. However, it doesn’t mean that past criminal offenses will be used to invalidate genuine cases. You should disclose such history to your attorney so that they can develop a strategy to defend your claim if need be.
- Reveal the Injuries Sustained After the Accident
Your attorney should be aware of the injuries you sustain after the accident, whether minor or serious injuries. The defense attorney will likely claim that you’re seeking compensation for new injuries that aren’t related to the current accident. Your attorney will defend you against such claims when they’re in the know.
- Disclose Your Responsibility for the Accident
Did you know that you can still be compensated even if you are partially liable for an accident? If your lawyer is aware that that contributed to the accident, they’re able to prepare accordingly and develop a strategy to defend your claim.
- Disclose the facts of the Accident
Your attorney needs the facts of your accident to help them develop a recovery strategy as aforementioned above. The facts needed by your lawyer include:
- Date and scene of the accident;
- Details related to your loss––property damage and bodily injuries;
- Details of the other driver and car;
- Details of your insurance policy;
- Details of the police report, and more.
Always remember that the more details about the accident you reveal to your lawyer, the easier it is for your attorney.
- Never Exaggerate your Loss (Medical Expenses and Lost Wages)
You should never try to exaggerate your losses because it can negatively impact your claim if the lie is discovered. That said, you should always be upfront with your attorney and never exaggerate or lie about the numbers involved. If possible, carry supporting documents, such as statements and receipts to prove your loss.
- Working “Off the Books” should be disclosed
You need money even when sick, injured, or incapacitated. So if a friend has allowed you to earn after the accident, you should let your lawyer know. Why? Because you’ll be seeking damages for lost wages and lost opportunity to earn a living. Even if you’re working from home while recovering, a good defense lawyer can use that to invalidate your claim and state that the lost earning capacity does not apply.
- Has Medicare or Medicaid Paid Your Injury Costs?
If Medicaid pays for your injuries as you await settlement, you should disclose this fact to your attorney because your case may take much longer to complete if you fail to disclose this information.
Your injury attorney can only develop a strong defense if they understand the facts of your accident. That said, you should always reveal all details about your accident however minor the detail may seem.
