6 Mistakes in Communicating With Your Car Accident Lawyer That Can Backfire
When you are trying to get an attorney to help you with your auto accident, the way you communicate will play a large part in how smooth this process is. Many people inadvertently complicate their own auto accident claim by either withholding information from their attorney, not responding quickly enough to their attorney’s requests, or misunderstanding the claims process.
Communication is critical to filing a claim for a car accident case. If there is any room for error (even a small one), it may cause a delay in getting money, thus decreasing the strength of your case.
Mistake 1: Concealment or Omission of Relevant Information
Some clients do not share some information because they believe that doing so will hurt their case; however, it is normally better to disclose something than to find out as part of the surprise when their lawyer learns about it.
Here are some examples of undisclosed information:
- Prior physical injuries or pre-existing health issues
- Being partially liable for the incident
- Filing earlier accident claims
- Pictures or comments posted on social media regarding the incident
Mistake 2: Delaying in Responding to Lawyer’s Request for Information
There are strict time constraints with legal matters; if you fail to respond to email requests for an answer or for documents, your case can be delayed.
Some of the consequences of delays may include:
- Failure to meet deadlines as established by the law
- A delay in obtaining the necessary authorization for your medical records
- Delaying the process of negotiating a settlement
- Having difficulty meeting filing deadlines with the court
Mistake 3: Communicating Directly With Insurance Companies Without Giving Your Attorney a Heads Up
Insurance adjusters may appear to be very helpful. However, ultimately, they are looking to pay the least amount in claims. If you communicate directly with an insurance company without first consulting with your attorney, you could lose.
Some of the dangers of communicating directly with an insurance company are:
- Giving a recorded statement that will be used against you
- Accepting a low settlement offer
- Inadvertently admitting partial liability
- Signing a document without understanding it fully
Mistake 4: Overstating Your Injuries or Losses
Some people believe that by overstating their damages, they will receive a higher settlement amount. In reality, it is easy to detect discrepancies.
Consequences may include:
- Loss of credibility
- Reduced settlement value
- Denial of claim
- Legal action may be taken against you in extreme cases.
Mistake 5: Failing to Ask Questions When You Don’t Understand Something
Legal terms can be daunting and left unanswered. Some people may stay quiet to avoid sounding unintelligent, but, in doing so, make decisions poorly because of the lack of knowledge.
When you don’t understand something, you should always ask about it.
- Settlement offers
- Fee arrangement
- Timeline of a case
- Court process
- Medical records requirements.
Your attorney is going to expect questions from you and would like you to understand your case as much as possible.
Mistake 6: Making Case Information Available to the Public or on Social Media
In today’s world of digital communications, the information you provide online may be used against you in any legal case you have pending.
It is in your best interest to refrain from posting the following types of information:
- Accident information
- Updates about injury
- Settlement negotiation
- Physical activity.
Key Takeaways
- Good communication will help you build a solid legal strategy.
- Timely responses will help avoid unnecessary delays.
- Consult with your attorney before speaking with the insurance company regarding your accident.
- Correct information is always preferable to incorrect information.
- Ask questions to understand your rights.
- Never post anything about your accident on a social network.
- Effective communication makes it easier for lawyers to negotiate settlements on behalf of clients.
