No one wants to be involved in a lawsuit, or any other legal matter, but they’re an unfortunate reality that can be difficult to avoid at times. Maybe you get involved in litigation during a bad divorce. Maybe your debit card number or bank information was stolen as part of a scam, and you need to hold the scammers responsible. Perhaps your insurance company is trying to unfairly deny your injury claim following a car accident where the negligence of an at-fault driver caused your injuries. No matter the case, you’ll need legal advice and protection whenever you’re involved in a legal dispute, whether you’re the plaintiff or defendant.
Legal fees can add up quickly, and they’re one of the most common reasons why lawsuits end in out-of-court settlements. You need to be as sure as possible that your fees won’t climb higher than you’re willing to invest in a case with an uncertain outcome, as this can be financially disastrous. Of course, if you’re the defendant, it won’t really be up to you. Here are some ways you can protect yourself during a legal battle, using an injury case as an example.
Start organizing your records right away.
In any legal dispute, it’s impossible to overstate the importance of proper documentation. If you’ve suffered a personal injury due to the fault of a third party, or you need to file a lawsuit because your insurance company isn’t paying your full benefit amounts, then you need to ensure that your medical records are pristine.
When you initially received medical treatment following your injury, medical records should have documented how the injury happened, and they’ll support that your injuries were incurred the way you say they were. That’s just the beginning, though. In order to prevent a defendant from discrediting your claims, you need to make sure that you follow all medical advice you’re given and attend any follow-up appointments, so your records will show that you’re doing your best with your recovery. If there are any conflicts or gaps in your medical records, it will spell doubts about your case, and you may lose it.
Get professional help as soon as possible.
Let’s say that your injury was caused by a car crash in New Orleans. If this is the case, you’ll need to seek help from a New Orleans attorney immediately. A personal injury attorney with years of experience knows about all the strategies used during injury cases, and they can offer you the best legal advice and strategies to reach a successful outcome.
One thing to keep in mind is that injury lawyers don’t typically charge normal legal fees. Instead, they work on a contingency basis, meaning that they’ll only accept a percentage of your settlement if you win the dispute. You’ll need to bring your medical records and any other supporting evidence you have (photos of injuries, witness statements, etc.) to your free consultation, so you can demonstrate that you have a winnable case.
Avoid any outside communication about the dispute.
One of the easiest ways you can compromise your case is by posting about it on social media or otherwise communicating details that should be kept between you and your attorney. Avoid sharing details about the case until it’s over, and always update your attorney if you receive any suspicious communications. During this sensitive time, it’s more important than ever that you have ways of finding the phone number of your last received call.
Strange calls from phone numbers you don’t recognize may actually be attempts to compromise your case. For example, a defendant’s insurance company may call you requesting personal information that they have no right to. Always direct any questions to your attorney, and alert your attorney right away if anyone starts probing for case information.
