Are you someone who is involved in a personal injury case and is thinking of hiring a lawyer who can assist you with the accident claim, you need to first understand the importance of an attorney-client relationship. Both of you should be communicative and open while discussing the case with each other.
While it is true that working with a personal injury lawyer can be an intimidating task, especially if this is your first time, it always doesn’t have to be so. If you work with a good lawyer, he will make you feel respected and comfortable. So before you move on to hire your personal injury lawyer Salem, here are a few important things you should always share with him.
- Inform your attorney about the previous injuries and accidents that you had suffered. In case there is an insurance adjuster who is trying his best to deny your claim, he might say that your present injuries are related to your past accidents and not the recent ones. In order to be able to dispute this, you are lawyer should be informed about every past incident.
- Notify him about your criminal history. Although it is not that any felonies or misdemeanors will affect your case, they might come up during the trial. The insurance company lawyers can run background checks and in case you have a criminal history, you are lawyer should be notified about that beforehand.
- Tell your attorney if you had ever filed for bankruptcy. In case you decide to file for bankruptcy during your personal injury case, the settlement amount that you want to receive will become a part of the estate. This means you will no longer get the money but your creditors will. However, if you inform your personal injury attorney about this previous decision, he can work things out with a bankruptcy lawyer to help you secure your portion.
- Notify your lawyer if you have already filed for divorce or if you are thinking of filing one. If you are in a situation where your spouse was supporting you financially after your injury, they might qualify for a part of the damages that you recover. In such a case, your attorney will make sure they also receive fair compensation.
During a personal injury case, it is extremely helpful if you work with an attorney since the claims process can get complicated as it progresses. But an attorney can do as much as you help him by cooperating with him. Don’t hide any information or exaggerate things when you speak with your personal injury lawyer.