Although you might be going through a personal injury case right now, this might not be something that you have much or any experience with. Figuring out how things work as you go along can be challenging, but make sure that you don't forget these three key points when you are working with your personal injury lawyer.
1. Your Attorney Works for You
First of all, do not forget that your attorney works for you. There is a good chance that you might not have paid your attorney anything out of pocket yet, which can make it easy to forget that you are, in fact, a client. However, your attorney will typically receive a percentage of your personal injury settlement. Because you have chosen an attorney and will be paying them a fee, you deserve a certain level of service from your attorney. Don't be afraid to call and schedule a meeting or call and ask a question while your case is going on. A good attorney should be more than happy to talk to you and keep your well-informed about what is going on with your case.
2. Your Attorney Might Not Be Able to Speed Up the Process
If you find yourself getting frustrated with the amount of time that it's taking to receive a settlement, you should be aware that this might not be something that your attorney can actually help with. As challenging as it might be, it's important to be patient.
3. Your Attorney Should Provide You With Advice You Can Count On
From time to time while you are dealing with your personal injury case, you might find yourself feeling a bit unsure about whether or not your attorney is doing the right thing. You might be ready to accept a settlement from the insurance company because you really need the money, for example, but your attorney might encourage you to wait for a higher settlement offer.
As long as you did a good job choosing a reputable and experienced personal injury lawyer, though, you should be able to trust their advice. Of course, this doesn't mean that you shouldn't ask questions or let your attorney know about your concerns. Overall, though, a good personal injury attorney should provide you with advice that you can count on while you are dealing with your personal injury claim.
It can be tough to really know what to expect, think, and do when you are dealing with a personal injury claim. As long as you don't forget the three things above when you are working with a personal injury lawyer, you can help make sure that you are doing things properly when dealing with your case.
For more information, contact a law firm like Siben & Siben LLP.