What Can I Do To Prepare For My Personal Injury Case In DC?

For many people, filing a personal injury claim is their first introduction to the D.C. civil court system. Your experienced personal injury attorney will be handling the complex legal process; however, there are things you can do to stay involved in the process and facilitate resolution.

Preparing for your Washington D.C. Personal Injury Case

One of the simplest things your can do to help your case is to keep track of any records related to your accident or injury. Health care involves a lot of paper, records, receipts, bills, and other correspondence. Keeping all documents organized and readily available can help your attorney evaluate your case. The same goes for any other records related to your case. If you were involved in an auto accident, be sure to keep copies of any repair bills, police reports, legal correspondence, and insurance records.

It may also help to keep a diary and record as much about your accident or injuries as you can. Our memories may fade with time, so immediately after an accident, try to write down as much as you can remember in as much detail as possible. Use your smartphone to take pictures and video. If you were injured, documenting your health care may also be important, including when you went for treatment, who you talked to, what happened, and who treated you. A diary can also keep track of when you were unable to work because of injury, treatment or recovery. These details can help to evaluate the damages incurred due to the injury.

Knowing what not to do is just as important as what to keep record of. Many of us interact with friends and family over social media throughout the day. Some of the things we post involve happy events we like to share, such as a new baby or wedding photos. However, most social media is not as private as we’d like to think, leaving others able to access personal information, even if you later delete the photo, video or statement. If you are involved in a personal injury lawsuit, the defense can subpoena all your social media records. A seemingly innocuous update such as “feeling better” could be used against you to minimize the extent of your injuries. Throughout your personal injury case, your attorney will likely advise you to refrain from commenting on your case, especially on social media.

After you have spoken to a lawyer about filing a personal injury lawsuit, you may want to limit who else you talk to about your case. Your attorney is on your side, and will work to make sure you get the compensation you deserve. If an insurance adjuster or someone from the insurance company wants to talk to you after you have retained a lawyer, simply refer them to your attorney. If any other person involved in the accident wants to talk to you after the accident, also refer them to your attorney.

Limiting who you talk to may seem overly cautious; however, the legal process can be complex, and things you say and do could affect your claim in any number of ways. If you have any questions about your case, or what you should do, talk to your attorney. As your legal representative, your attorney is there to advocate for you, and make sure you are kept informed as your case goes forward.

It is also important for you to keep your attorney informed of any changes or updates. If your injury worsens, or if you end up losing your job because of your injury, it may be important for your attorney to know as it could have an impact on your case.

If you have been injured or if a loved one was involved in an accident, the law firm of Gilman & Bedigian may be able to help. Our attorneys have years of experience dealing with personal injury and medical malpractice cases in Washington D.C., Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Please do not hesitate to contact us today for a free consultation.