When should you see an attorney after your automobile accident? How can you keep up with your own personal injury case? When is it time to follow up with your attorney about your case? These are all questions you may be pondering after your accident. You are not alone.
If you have just been injured in an accident, the first thing you should be thinking of is immediate medical attention. But a close second is meeting with your attorney. There are several reasons for this, but chief among these is that your attorney can help you sort out all the issues involved. For example, you need to know whether the other driver was charged, and if so, what the charge was and where the charge was made. You also need to know what to say, and more importantly, what not to say, to the other driver’s insurance company. And “yes,” they will call. You may have questions about whether your own policy affords you any relief in this situation. Your personal injury attorney can help you with all of these issues by serving as your representative and finding answers for you when you need the answers the most.
How can you keep up with and manage your personal injury case? Though it may seem obvious, progress in your case is largely up to you. You will need to follow your doctors’ orders. If treatment is prescribed, you need to follow through with it. If you are given a referral to physical therapy or chiropractic care, you need to make the call and set up the first appointment. If you are ordered to miss work for recovery purposes, you need to do so. What you want to avoid are long periods of time where no accident-related treatment is taking place. You will also want to keep up with all your medical bills, making sure that they are paid and current.
Third and finally, when should you contact your attorney during your case? The answer is EARLY and OFTEN. Do not be afraid to initiate the contact. Communication between you and your attorney is of utmost importance. And chances are, if you think you need to contact your attorney, then you are probably right. You will want to let your attorney know anything that he or she may not otherwise know. Examples of updates that you will want to bring to the attention of your attorney include referral to a new doctor, release from treatment by one of your doctors, discussion of permanency or impairment ratings with a doctor, or even simple questions relating to a lien notice or collection notice that you received in the mail.
Always remember that your personal injury attorney is there for you and that your case should be a team effort.