Personal injuries are inherently stressful for a variety of reasons. We naturally like to feel safe, but the unfortunate reality is that an injury can occur at any time. Common causes include car accidents, slips, and falls, dangerous conditions, and many more. Serious injuries can result in hospital stays, medical expenses, trauma, loss of work, and other serious consequences. Particularly if your injury was caused by the actions or negligence of another party, you’re likely frustrated and feel your owed compensation for your physical suffering and emotional trauma. This feeling of anger and grief is compounded when you’ve either suffered a major injury or are a family member of someone who suffered a wrongful death.
Insurance companies don’t make money by actually paying out for accidents and injuries, so they may try to get out of offering you the compensation and benefits you deserve. A lawsuit will lead to even more stress during an already difficult time, but if you have no better options, then it’s time to contact professionals like Encino personal injury attorneys. Encino is part of the Los Angeles metro area and surrounded by areas like Tarzana, Sherman Oaks, and Reseda.
You can schedule a free consultation for legal advice, and personal injury lawyers even work on a contingency basis, so you won’t owe anything unless you win your case. You’ll have court hearings throughout the process, and the best way to mentally prepare is to ensure you’ve done all you can for your case. Here are some of the most important things you can do.
Keep a record of all medical documents and evidence.
The best thing you can do for any court case is to keep flawless records and ensure that your law firm has them as well. This starts with any medical records that are relevant to your injury. You likely sought treatment as soon as possible after the injury, which is good for both your safety and recovery and also for proving all your injuries were sustained the way you say they were.
If there’s any video or photographic evidence of the incident, you should bring that to your attorney as well. Even if it doesn’t directly show the responsible party causing the injury, it can still add greater context to the events and help with investigations into what really happened.
Stay updated with your lawyer.
Litigation is never easy, and it can be downright terrifying when there’s a lot on the line. One of the best things you can do for your peace of mind is to talk to your lawyer and their legal assistants on a regular basis. Your legal team can go over any updates to your personal injury case and explain where they are in the process at any time.
Also, you need to remember that providing updates is a two-way street. You might think that your work as a client is done once a lawyer with years of experience is on the case, but they’ll need your help too. Updating them on any progress with your recovery can be important in deciding how much compensation you’re owed, and you should always tell your lawyer if anyone contacts you asking about the case.
Look and feel your best.
The old saying “look good, feel good” holds true, and you definitely want to make a good first impression during your court hearing. It’s a great idea to head over to a full service salon to get a fresh haircut and manicure before the big day. You’ll also need to wear your best outfit. For men, a formal suit in a neutral color is your best option, but you can also go with dress pants and a collared shirt. For women, it’s also best to dress professionally and ensure that any dress or skirt is no more than two inches above the knee. While it may be difficult, it’s also best to get a full eight hours of sleep the night before. In order to feel your best physically and mentally, it’s crucial to take care of yourself.
There’s no way to guarantee a victory in court, but with good preparation and an experienced personal injury attorney on your side, you’ll have your best chance at a positive verdict and your maximum compensation.