Your First Personal Injury Case: What to Expect
Most people that have been injured and decide to pursue a personal injury claim have little or no experience with the legal system and may have never even consulted with an attorney before.
Read on to learn what to expect when it comes to your personal injury case.
Don’t Sweat the Fees 💰
Personal injury clients fees are expensive and most cases are taken on a contingent fee basis, meaning your attorney will receive a percentage of any damages you recover upon the conclusion of your case. Most attorneys also offer potential clients a free initial consultation, and advance costs for things like medical records, depositions, and medical experts.
Be Completely Honest 🤞
Your lawyer is the one person you need to be able to talk to about all aspects of your case, and attorney-client privilege will protect your confidential communications. Some critical areas that require complete disclosure include:
- Your injuries. While it might seem strange to take steps to minimize the effects related to their injury, your attorney will explain that every plaintiff who suffers personal injury has an obligation to take reasonable steps to avoid further loss and to minimize the consequences of the injury. This is called mitigation.
- Your medical history. In order to assess your damages, your attorney will need to review your medical records, but you should never agree to release your medical history to anyone else without first consulting with your attorney.
- Your version of the accident. It is important that you tell your attorney exactly what happened, as you remember it; whether or not you think you bear any fault for your injuries. Only when your attorney has an accurate picture of how your accident happened will he be able to formulate effective arguments and potential defenses on your behalf.
Be Patient 🧘♀️🧘♂️
Personal injury cases can take as long as three years or more to resolve, so try to remain patient. Getting impatient won’t make things go any faster, but it could adversely affect your physical recovery and put additional pressure on your strongest advocate – your attorney.
Having the right attorney on your side can often speed up the claim process and improve the outcome of your settlement. Don’t hesitate to contact one of our experienced personal injury attorneys, Tatum O’Brien, Tim O’Keeffe, or Sara Monson by email, or call O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Foss at 701-235-8000 or toll-free 877-235-8002.
