Dos and Don’ts after You Hire an Attorney

Retaining a personal injury lawyer after an accident might be one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make. But how will you know when you’ve found the best candidate for the job? Follow these tips for hiring a Sacramento lawyer from Demas Law Group.

Visit a nearby Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer

DO Communicate Your Expectations Clearly

No personal injury claim is entirely predictable. Let your lawyer know your expectations and ideal outcome from the beginning. Knowing your goals will help the attorney determine the best legal strategy to meet your needs. It will also help the lawyer adjust your expectations if they are unrealistic or impossible under the law.

Some things you may want to communicate to your personal injury attorney include:

• The maximum amount you can pay in legal fees
• How fast you want the legal matter resolved
• The minimum settlement amount you are willing to accept
• What the best and worst-case scenarios would be for you
• How much time and effort you want to put into the case

DON’T Lie to Your Attorney or Exaggerate the Truth

Legal matters can get personal. You may need to share deeply private information with your lawyer. While that can feel uncomfortable, it’s always best to be honest and thorough.

Your lawyer is not there to judge you. They are hired to represent you and fight for maximum compensation for you. They will be most effective if they understand every aspect of your situation. Being upfront can also alert your lawyer to weaknesses in your case that might be used against you later.

DO Work With Your Lawyer to Develop a Plan

Once you develop a strong working relationship with your lawyer, it’s time to collaborate and develop a strategic plan for your case. This plan should outline exactly how your attorney intends to tackle your claim.

A strong plan for a personal injury case will include:

• An estimated timeline of how long the case will take
• How much it could cost to implement each part of the plan
• How the attorney will respond if unexpected circumstances arise
• The ideal outcome that will help you get back on your feet

DON’T Forget to Bring Important Documents With You

Personal injury cases require lots of medical, financial, and personal information. Do your best to keep track of all relevant details about the accident, your injuries, and its impact on your finances and personal life.

Bring as much information to your initial consultation as possible, and keep a file for ongoing expenses as the case proceeds. This will make your attorney-client meetings much more productive.

Sacramento Attorney-Client Relationship

When you hire an attorney, a relationship of trust is formed. This relationship is important, as it allows for open communication and frank discussion between you and your lawyer. It is crucial to maintain this trust, as it allows your attorney to best represent your interests. Here are a few Dos and Don’ts that will help you maintain the attorney-client relationship:

• DO keep communication lines open. Your attorney should be your advocate and confidant, so you should feel comfortable discussing anything and everything with him or her. If something is bothering you or if you have a question, pick up the phone or schedule a meeting—don’t wait.
• DON’T withhold information. It is imperative that you provide your attorney with all the facts and circumstances surrounding your case, even if you think they may be damaging to your case. Withholding information will only hinder your attorney’s ability to fully represent you.
• DO be honest. The attorney-client relationship is built on trust, so it is important that you be honest with your attorney about everything. Lying to your attorney, even if it’s a small lie, can jeopardize the entire relationship.
• DON’T try to friend your attorney. It is important to remember that your attorney is not your friend—he or she is your legal counsel. While it is perfectly fine to develop a cordial relationship with your attorney, you should avoid crossing the line into friendship.
• DO listen to your attorney’s advice. Your attorney has experience and knowledge that you don’t, so it is important that you listen to and trust his or her opinion. If you don’t agree with your attorney’s advice, you can always seek a second opinion.
• DON’T be afraid to ask questions. If you don’t understand something your attorney says or if you want clarification on an issue, don’t hesitate to ask questions. The more informed you are, the better equipped you will be to make decisions about your case.
• DO respect your attorney’s time. Your attorney is a busy person, so it is important to respect his or her time. When you schedule a meeting, be on time and come prepared. If you need to cancel or reschedule, give your attorney as much notice as possible.
• DON’T discuss your case with anyone other than your attorney. This includes family members, friends, and even your therapist. Discussing the details of your case with anyone other than your attorney could compromise the attorney-client relationship and could lead to legal consequences.

Contact a Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer Today

If you need a trusted lawyer after a serious injury in Sacramento, look no further than Demas Law Group. Our Sacramento personal injury attorneys have more than 25 years of experience fighting for the rights of injured Californians just like you. Call or contact us today for a free case review.