Think You Have a Case? Don’t Do These Things Before Contacting an Attorney!
December 26, 2013 @ 9:43 am
Updated on: March 5, 2021
From divorce to bankruptcy to personal injury, the legal process is different for every type of case. However, some constants hold true: it’s vital to avoid certain mistakes in order to protect yourself before the trial starts. These include putting any information that could be damaging to you out into the public eye, as well as prolonging contact with the guilty party more than is strictly necessary. Read on for a few tips on how to get your case into the hands of a legal professional with the best chances of success intact.
Post on Social Media
One defense strategy that has recently become more commonplace is to use information posted on social media against the injured party. At trial, seemingly innocent Facebook pictures or online posts can be used in front of a jury to call the credibility of an injured party into doubt, even if there is no basis for doing so. If you are injured and expect to make a claim for your injury, it is important to keep this strategy in mind and limit or eliminate your activity on social media.
Contact The Offending Parties
Engaging in direct communications with a negligent party in an injury case is not typically recommended. Oftentimes, a negligent party’s insurer will contact an injury victim seeking a recorded statement. Absent extraordinary circumstances, it is best to avoid giving recorded statements to these insurers unless otherwise advised by your attorney. However, if you are making a worker’s compensation claim or claim for uninsured/underinsured motorist benefits under your own insurance policy, you may be required to give a statement to allow the insurer to investigate the claim. It is best to consult with an attorney to determine when it is appropriate to discuss the case with the other parties involved.
Try to Represent Yourself
We’ve saved the most important one for last. Many people attempt to represent themselves in personal injury claims in hopes of avoiding attorney’s fees. While not all personal injury cases require expert legal counsel, it is highly recommended that you consult with an attorney regarding your case as soon as possible to determine whether you need representation. The legal field is an extremely complex and intricate one, and missing one deadline could mean the difference between victory in your case or a loss coupled with hefty court fees.
To recap: keep quiet on social media, keep your distance from the offending party and make sure to look up a qualified legal professional in your area before filing any claims. Using these simple steps, you can bring a pristine case to your attorney clean of any potential roadblocks.
