You did everything you could to make sure things were safe, but somehow, something still went wrong. Perhaps you had a car accident, or someone fell down your apartment building’s stairs. Whatever the reason, someone got injured and they’ve decided to sue you for damages.
When you received the summons and notice, you were floored. You didn’t deserve this! You know you can’t afford the damages, either. It would bankrupt you. You start to panic, but deep down inside, you know you’re going to need to defend yourself in court.
If you’re getting sued, it’s easy to feel alone in the fight. The first thing you need to do before anything else is to arm yourself with knowledge and hire a personal injury attorney who can help you defend yourself. Here’s our advice on your best course of action.
- Don’t say anything to anyone about the lawsuit, unless you’re searching for a personal injury law firm willing to take the case. What you say, even to your own insurance company, can and will be held against you in the court of law. So, stop talking about the suit or the injury and start searching for a personal injury lawyer near you.
- If police were involved, do not discuss anything with them without your lawyer present. Even civil matters can have police involvement, especially when it comes to injuries resulting from a car accident. If a criminal case is linked to the injury suit, anything you say to the police can be used to harm you in the civil suit, too.
- Research and talk with each lawyer before you choose one. Not all law firms are equal. A case defending a personal injury suit is not easy to win, and requires top-level skill to work. Because of the nature of the case, you should never go for a law firm with a bad reputation, or with a lawyer that doesn’t make you feel confident in their skills.
- Explain what happened to your lawyer. When your lawyer starts working with you, the first thing they will do is ask you questions about the accident. Your job is to tell them everything you know. Be honest, and offer up as much detail as you can. The more your lawyer knows, the more your lawyer will be able to help you.
- Listen and heed all advice your personal injury lawyer offers you. We can’t If your lawyer tells you to negotiate with insurers through the firm, let the firm do the work for you. If your lawyer suggests getting a subpoena for a witness, follow his advice.
- If mediation is the best option, try it before you go to court. Actually fighting your case in court should be avoided unless it’s absolutely necessary and you have a solid defense case available to you. If your lawyer advises you to settle or mediate, it’s best to do so.
- Help your lawyer with any documentation they need. At times, your lawyer will ask you to sign papers and send over documentation involving the injury. It’s best to do this in a timely manner, as this can impact the outcome of your case.
- Tell your lawyer if hospitals or insurance companies are bothering you. Personal injury law doesn’t just cover liability; it can also cover matters involving medical bill payments. If you are being harassed by collections agents, telling your lawyer will help alleviate the pressure.
- If you have reason to sue another party over the injury, pursue that case if necessary. This often happens with injuries resulting from car accidents involving multiple vehicles, or in situations where both parties are injured. Suing other parties can help you recover costs.
- When you’re in court, conduct yourself in a respectable manner. Aggravating as it may be to deal with some of the accusations, you still will need to behave yourself. Dress properly, address the judge respectfully, and answer all questions to the best of your ability.
It All Starts With Getting The Right Team
You won’t be able to properly defend yourself against a personal injury case without having the backing of a qualified legal team. One of the reasons that people choose our law firm is because we have experience with both prosecution and defense methods.
Our experience translates into a deeper understanding of personal injury law, giving us an advantage in court that many other law offices don’t have. Scott Senft and his team have what it takes to help you fight your case in court. If you’re facing a lawsuit, give our office a call.
