Things Which You Should NOT DO:
- Do not give any statements, written, recorded, or oral, to anyone concerning your accident or injuries without first getting our approval.
- Do not make any incorrect statement to any doctor who may treat or examine you respecting any prior injuries or accidents, if you dont remember, say so.
- Do not change your address or employment without notifying your attorney.
Things for you to REMEMBER:
- Address and Phone: Inform your attorney immediately of any change of address and/or telephone number or employment.
- Car Repair: If your vehicle was damaged, try to obtain pictures before you get it repaired. Use color film and take a whole roll of pictures. Bring the film to us and we
- will have it developed. If you do not have a camera, please call and we will make arrangements to take the pictures.
- Medical Items: Save all pill bottles, casts, braces, and any other items from your doctors.
- Photographs: Give us any pictures and videos of the accident or accident scene that you or anyone else has taken for you.
- Your job: Tell us of any changes in your job, job duties, salary or anything.
- Receipts: Be sure to obtain and save all receipts itemizing any and all expenses you incurred as a result of your accident. Receipts must be dated and contain legible and
- complete vendor identification.
- New information: Inform us of anything you think has a bearing on the case, including extensive medical treatment or hospitalization.
Five BIG MISTAKES clients make:
- Not seeing the doctor if you are in pain.
- Not doing what your doctor tells you.
- Not keeping your doctor appointments.
- Discussing your case with anyone other than your attorney or your doctor.
- Failing to tell your doctor about medical problems due to the accident.
Follow Your Doctors Advice
Be sure to do what your doctors tell you. There is never a reason or excuse to miss a doctors appointment. By missing a doctors appointment, you are saying to the doctor and to the insurance company that you dont hurt and that it doesnt matter that much. Our job is to make a recovery for you for the pain and suffering that can be proven. Not going to the doctor is a good way to prove that you are not hurting and that you dont care. If you dont care, the doctor may not care. It is very important for you to work hard to get well and to go to all of your appointments.
If you are in pain and you do not see a doctor, the insurance company and the jury will not believe that you are having pain.
Each time you go to the doctor and report that you are still having pain, your doctor makes an entry in his records. It is important for your doctor to have up-to-date information on your condition. Some clients get discouraged and do not see their doctor even though they are having pain. This may harm your claim. It is important that your doctor knows how you are feeling.
First Steps In Representing You
When you are first interviewed, general information regarding your case is obtained. Materials relating to things you should or should not do will be furnished to you. You will be requested to sign certain authorization forms which will allow us to obtain your medical records and other necessary information.
We will notify the person who was responsible for your injury and/or their insurance company that you have retained us as your attorneys. Requests will be sent to all of the doctors and hospitals involved in your care for your chart and billing information.
Who To Talk To
Do not talk about your case with anyone except this office and your doctors. If your own insurance company wants to talk about your case before they pay your medical bills, please refer them to us.
What To Sign
Any necessary information from employers, schools, or other persons will be obtained by us. You should not sign anything for anyone else until you check with us first. You May Be Watched and Photographed
When a claim is filed by an injured person, insurance companies routinely conduct a detailed investigation of the injured persons background. It is not uncommon for an insurance company investigator to park his surveillance van near your house and videotape your activities. These investigators work very hard to obtain videotapes of claimants lifting heavy groceries or engaging in strenuous physical activity. However, these same surveillance tapes have been useful to corroborate our clients limitations, including the use of canes, crutches, etc.
If you believe you are being watched, please call us and try to avoid the camera. Do not exaggerate your limitations or pose for the camera.
Bankruptcy
If you are considering filing bankruptcy, you should know that you may lose all rights to your personal injury case. The Bankruptcy Court can take over your case, settle your case and give your settlement money to your creditors, and you will receive nothing. Be sure to talk to your lawyer before filing bankruptcy.
Why Does It Take So Long?
We cannot make your claim until after the doctors have given us reports stating exactly what your medical condition is and what they expect it to be in the future: in other words, until you have reached maximum medical improvements. Many times the doctors will be very slow in making these reports. We may even, on occasion, ask you to contact your doctor to speed up this report. If we try to settle your case before your medical condition is stabilized, you may lose money that you might be entitled to for a condition that did not show up until after your case was settled.
It is important to know that your case will not be settled until the damages have been determined and all investigations to determine who is liable have been completed. It generally takes several months to gather the necessary information. If a trial becomes necessary, it can take several years to complete a case. One of the most difficult requests we make of you is to have patience. We will work as hard and fast as possible to settle your case quickly.
Claims Against the Government
Any injury claim, whether it stems from a car collision or other event that involves the government, is subject to special rules. The governmental entity involved may be the state, a city, a county, local government, or the United States. Generally, a Notice of Claim must be filed with the appropriate governmental agency very soon following your injury. If you believe that the government may be involved in your case, please notify us immediately.
