Honest claimants allow their case to move from the earliest stages to the points at which there could be an agreement on compensation.
First communications take place during a consultation
Any reputable personal injury lawyer in Medicine Hat agrees to offer a prospective client the opportunity to take part in a no-cost consultation. During that meeting, the prospective client should be as honest as possible. The lawyer’s own honesty could force him/her to refuse the case, because it might not seem like a sure win.
An attorney could help a client to prepare for future communications, such as a call from the insurance company of the responsible party.
Limit the amount of information provided to the adjuster in the opposing party’s insurance company.
Do not agree to provide the company with a taped statement, unless the tape can be made in the presence of your attorney.
Do not agree to hand over all of your medical records. Promise to share those that are relevant to your case.
Following the consultation, the communications could take place over the phone or by email.
It is a good idea to ask about the lawyer’s preferred means of communications during the consultation.
It makes sense to hire an attorney that plans to communicate by phone, if you are comfortable speaking on the phone. If you prefer writing emails, then try to find a lawyer that corresponds with clients by using those virtual letters.
Some lawyers like to meet in person. If that would not work for you, do not hire such a lawyer.
Any client deserves to receive regular updates. An attorney appreciates the availability of useful evidence, such as the entries in a pain journal.
What if something that has been communicated to you seems unsettling? What should you do?
Suppose, for instance, that the adjuster were to allege that you should have been wearing some type of protective device, due to the fact that you have a pre-existing condition. What action should you take?
Understand that each of use has a right to focus on our concerns. If your doctor did not suggest that you use such a device, then you should not let the adjuster weaken your argument. If you did nothing wrong, then you should not be blamed for the accident-linked injury.
Suppose that you and your lawyer have not received any word in reply to a counteroffer. What should you do?
Do not make a new counteroffer. Instead call and ask for an explanation. If none has been provided, contact the adjuster’s supervisor. Focus on demonstrating an attitude that reflects a combination of patience and persistence. You should manage to communicate a great deal, simply by demonstrating that particular attitude.