If you have sustained serious injuries in an accident and you need a personal injury attorney’s service, you must understand what details to give them to increase your chances of winning. A lot of people are hesitant about sharing information with their legal adviser. However, this is important, so your attorney can come up with the best strategy to employ for your case. By being more open with your Long Beach personal injury lawyer, you build trust and help them better understand the circumstances that surround your case. When you meet with the attorney for the initial consultation, they may require you to share the following details:
Any Criminal Background
Your attorney must know if you have a criminal history. Although they can do a background check themselves, it is best for you to own up. By knowing your criminal background beforehand, they can prepare for it. Your compensation claim may be ruined because of a hidden criminal background. Keep in mind that recovering from this setback is difficult, so it is best to prepare a solid defense for you before things get complicated.
Previous Injuries or Illness
Insurance companies usually use a claimant’s medical history to fight back their claims. They have people who can dig up any previous illness or injury you had and associate it with your current injury. Thus, you must alert your lawyer if you were in another accident in the past. This way, your attorney can prepare counterarguments. Keep in mind that if your claim includes emotional distress and the insurer found out about your previous mental health problem, you could lose your case if your lawyer is not prepared enough to handle it.
Ongoing Divorce
Divorce is a sensitive matter that can also impact your personal injury case. If you have a contested divorce, the defendant may contact your spouse for information. And if you are not on good terms with your spouse, they can divulge details that can harm your case. Also, if your claim settlement is subjected to distribution, this can change everything. Thus, you must disclose such information to your attorney.
Bankruptcy Proceedings
Nobody wants to disclose their bankruptcy declaration to anyone. However, your lawyer must be privy to such information. If your pain and suffering settlement becomes part of your estate, you will not be able to get the money. Also, bankruptcy can alter the strategy your legal team had planned for your lawsuit.
