When it comes to your injury case, we won’t lie – there are going to be a lot of considerations to take into account if you want to win. But we’ll give you everything you need to do so. Provided you tell the truth and heed our advice, you won’t have anything to worry about.
As a respected team of personal injury and workers’ compensation attorneys in NJ, we want to help you win your case, and we’ll do everything in our power to set you up for success. Follow these steps to help yourself make the strongest case possible, and have a better chance at attaining the funds to which you’re rightfully entitled.
Be Honest
They say that honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom, and when it comes to your injury case, it would be wise to be honest. That means, tell your doctors the truth about your injuries, and the pain you’re experiencing. Tell us the truth, too. We can’t build a case around misinformation, and even if you think a little white lie may help you look better, it can actually backfire and harm your case. Be honest when your deposition is taken, too (more on that below).
Be Thorough
The devil’s in the details, and it’s crucial that you don’t forget any of yours. Make sure to explain all of the following to your doctors and lawyers post-injury:
- Explain every aspect of your injury. Where are you experiencing pain?
- Have you had any prior injuries? Tell your physician about them all and differentiate any pre-accident injuries or pains from what you are having since the accident so it is clear. Most insurance companies and defense attorneys try to blame accident caused injuries on prior accidents and injuries by saying you didn’t tell your doctor about your prior injuries or problems. Be honest and thorough in differentiating you pre-accident from your post-accident injuries and problems.
- Tell us everything you can remember about your incident so we can best help you make a case for yourself. No detail is too small, no matter how trivial it may seem.
All in all, the more thorough you are, the better.
Get All Necessary Care
Do not deny yourself care. Getting the proper treatment is more important than worrying about bills, and if you’re truthful about your case, your chances of recovering the costs of relevant medical expenses are high. Cases are evaluated based on liability and by the seriousness of the injuries a victim incurs. Generally: the more serious the injury(s), the longer the medical treatment; the more serious the injury(s), and more treatments for the injury(s); the more serious the injury(s), the higher the amount of medical treatment bills; and the more serious the injuries, the more permanent problems the injury(s) cause. Help get the care you need by keeping a daily log/diary of your pain, symptoms, problems and expenses. Even take cellphone photos, as a picture is with a thousand words, especially since black and blue marks and bruises disappear. Take the diary to your doctor to see and also to your attorney. You will want to forget your problems as time goes on, so it is better to document them from the beginning. (With that said, we can’t guarantee you’ll win X amount—no attorney can—but we will fight for the highest possible settlement.)
Approach the Deposition Appropriately
Depositions are crucial. Your attorney will prepare you for them. You will most likely be given instructions and sample questions or be shown a video of a sample deposition. It is important to only answer the question that is asked. Do not ramble. Many people speak too much and end up putting their foot in their mouth, unintentionally. Follow your attorney’s instructions! Don’t worry too much, because we’ll be there to guide and advise you, but we ultimately can’t control every piece of information you give up. It’s necessary to explain the situation thoroughly, but you need to answer the questions effectively and to the point. If a question requires a yes answer, only say “yes.” If it requires a no answer, only say “no” and stop! Do not volunteer any information as it is likely to hurt you. Let the other attorney draw the answers out of you. Be short, sweet, and to the point. Don’t add anything. Let your attorney guide you. Less is best!
- The opposing attorneys are listening to the way you answer their questions as much as to the words you’re saying.
- You don’t have to physically prove your injury by showing scars or other signs. That’s what a medical examination is for, and the opposing attorneys can turn to yours for more information.
- Don’t be fooled by TV and the movies. The opposing attorneys will most likely not try to trick you into providing self-incriminating answers. In the rare case that he or she exhibits behavior as such, we’ll stop it from continuing. Remember, the deposition is simply an assessment of your case.
- If it’s convenient, try to visit the scene of your accident before your deposition is taken. That way, you can reevaluate the events of the day in front of where they happened, and keep the facts fresh in your mind.
Your deposition is equally as important as your testimony before a judge, and its results can be used to your advantage. After it is taken, the opposing attorneys and insurance company will consult with one another and make a decision as to whether they want to settle or pursue the case further in court.
If you’re a victim of a recent incident and in need of a qualified truck accident lawyer in NJ, call us today and we’ll be happy to schedule a consultation. There, we can go over the details of your case thoroughly, and decide how to proceed.
If you are hurt and need help, contact us immediately so we can go to work for you. We help injured people get compensation and medical treatment so they can get back to health and their daily activities without having to deal with the insurance companies.
