Colorado personal injury attorneys can be of assistance when you have no other way to obtain compensation for injuries due to someone else’s negligence. However, they are not magicians and rely on documentation to prove your case to the offending parties and a court of law.
Insurance companies, big corporations and the government have teams of lawyers whose sole job it is to deflect or minimize the impact of personal injury and workers’ compensation lawsuits.
Below are some tips on how you can help your Colorado personal injury attorney fully represent you. These tips come from years of experience representing the other side – understanding what they do and being prepared for it are key to a successful outcome.
1. Keep detailed documentation of everything
Since insurance companies and employers have few opportunities to communicate directly with you and your medical provider, they rely on documentation to judge how much to award you. Therefore, your records need to be as accurate as possible. Be sure every condition connected with your injury along with time away from work is clearly documented in your medical records. If not, the defense will question whether a particular condition was caused by the accident.
And you will want to retain copies of all receipts and document all expenses related to your injuries. This includes health insurance co-pays, deductibles and even travel expenses for getting to and from your doctors appointments.
2. Be careful about what you say
We’ve all heard Miranda rights in TV shows and movies – “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used in a court of law…” However, most people assume this applies exclusively to criminal cases. Nothing could be farther from the truth as the same principle applies to civil cases. Be careful who you talk to about your case as it could be used against you later on.
3. “I always feel like somebody’s watching me”
If you have that feeling that someone may be conducting surveillance on you then listen to your gut. Often times, the defense will hire private investigators to spy on you. If you’re having a “good day” and decide to mow the lawn or do some other physical activity, your case could be put in jeopardy. During the proceedings, do not attempt any manual labor or physical activity. Act as if your every move is under scrutiny.
Be mindful of these steps when working with a Colorado personal injury attorney…learn more about how you can Help your Lawyer Help You in this Colorado legal resource center article courtesy of The Babcock Law Firm today.