We look at the top 10 tips on how to win your personal injury case and help you on the road to physical and financial recovery.

1. Make a diary of the events surrounding the accident as soon as you are able to do so. This will help you recollect the events that led to the personal injuries you have sustained. Your narrative can be used in case you want to file a personal injury case against the person responsible for the injury.

2. Quanitfy everything you have suffered-Always make a note of the money you had to expend as a result of the injury. It can be the amount spent for medicine or for medical check ups. It can also be the salary lost during the days when you could not go to the office and work because of the personal injury you have sustained.

3. Maintain contact with people who were in the same accident-Try to get the contact numbers of the people who figured in the same accident as they may be worthwhile witnesses that will help you win your personal in jury case later on. There might be a chance of strengthening all your cases taken together even if you suffered different personal injuries as a result of that accident. You will also be able to ask these people some information which you may be tasked to produce at a later date.

4. Always hold on to your evidences-Remember that you will only be able to file for compensation for the personal injuries suffered if you can prove that they resulted from the accident. And you need evidences to prove that thing. Whatever evidences you have you should keep them because you never know when they might be useful.

5. Notify the person or company who should be liable for the personal injury-It is better to notify the person or the people concerned about your intention of filing a personal injury case against them. In some cases this will help speed up the case because some people do not want to be disturbed and so they are wiling to negotiate the amount they have to pay without going to any trouble at all.

6. Get hold of possible witnesses-Witnesses are always a welcome factor to any personal in jury case. Getting possible witnesses to witness for you can help you win your personal injury case so make sure you know these witnesses and then you know how to contact them if they will be needed. Sometime it is better to get sworn affidavits from these witnesses in case you have a problem locating them later on.

7.Get a personal injury solicitor who will help you win your personal injury case- personal injury solicitor will have more experience handling personal injury cases and he can give you a lot of advice concerning you case. A solicitor will also help you get the necessary documents that will be requires as proof in your personal injury case.

8. Observe the statute of limitations-This refers to the specific amount of time allowed by law for a case to be filed and prosecuted. There are cases which can no longer be filed after a certain period. Inform your lawyer immediately about the facts of the case and when it happened so he can give you an advice on this.

9. Compile all the necessary documents you can get hold of-You should compile all documents which you think is connected to your personal injury case even before you decide to file the case. The best time to get hold of those documents is when there is no case yet because there is no reason why these documents will be destroyed or kept by concerned persons. Just collate them and then use them if you decide to file a personal injury case.

10. Report the incident or accident to the authorities-Going to the authorities will always be the best tip because it will ensure your safety if you are in danger from the person who inflicted the personal injury. Records of the report will also help you win your personal injury case later on because they become public documents with a sense of validity.

Any personal injury cause by another may be the basis of a compensation claim. If you have suffered physical, emotional or even psychological injuries as a result of an incident or accident then follow these tips to help you win your personal injury case.

Julian Hall of Claims Master Group. Personal injury Claim

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1. Find an Attorney Before You Need One.

That may sound counterintuitive, but the likelihood is great that, when you find that you need an attorney, you won’t be in the best frame of mind to use your good judgment. If you’ve experienced a personal injury as the result of an automobile accident, for example, you may be in too much pain to go through the process of calling attorneys. Likewise, if you’ve been picked up on DUI charges, you need to have the confidence that the lawyer you choose is the right one. How do you find an attorney before you need one? Simply keep your ears open and ask around. If your neighbor had to hire a plumber and was happy with his work, you might ask her for his name and number and keep it handy in case you ever needed a plumber. The same holds true for attorney referrals. If someone you know is going through a legal proceeding and seems happy with his or her lawyer, ask for the lawyer’s name and keep it handy.

2. Choose a Lawyer with Experience in Your Type of Case.

Just as you wouldn’t hire a plumber to build you a new set of kitchen cabinets, you shouldn’t retain an estate attorney to build your criminal defense. If you are dealing with drunk driving charges, make sure to select a lawyer who has had experience as a litigator. This could be someone who has worked for the district attorney’s office or who has been a prosecuting attorney, as well as a lawyer who has extensive criminal defense experience. Likewise, if you are facing divorce proceedings and have to deal with issues like custody, child support, or even paternity, look for an attorney who has a family law practice area. Keep in mind, however, that many law firms have several, seemingly disparate practice areas. A law firm can be competent in several practice areas, either because they have associates at the firm who specialize in certain practice areas or because they work cooperatively with other firms who specialize in certain types of cases.

3. Discuss Fees Upfront.

Before you engage the services of an attorney, make sure you understand his fee structure. Many law firms charge exorbitant fees simply because they can. Look for a lawyer who charges reasonable fees for his services and for the services of his paralegals. Ideally, start with lawyers who offer a free initial consultation. This will give you the opportunity to assess his abilities and will give him the chance to determine whether or not he can be of assistance.

4. Select an Attorney Who is Available.

With many large law firms, you rarely get to speak with your attorney, and are often shuttled to a paralegal or legal secretary. The attorney you hire should be available to you, and you should be able to reach him (or receive a return call) within a reasonable amount of time. If your lawyer is too busy to return your call, you need to ask yourself if he’s too busy to give his full attention to your legal issue.

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies. For tips/information, click here: Lawyer

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2. Complete and honest disclosure of all facts. It is very important that you provide a complete and honest description of your problem, including information that may be favorable, unfavorable, or embarrassing. Leaving out a minor fact or detail could have a huge negative impact on your case. Only if you fully disclose the facts about your situation can an attorney properly advise you. Remember that there are strict rules that require an attorney to keep your information confidential. 3. Discuss fees. Your attorney will be ready to discuss fees at the first meeting, and you should be ready to do the same. You can and should negotiate fees and discuss payment plans with your attorney. Get your agreement in writing and keep a copy for your file. Most disputes about fees happen because there is no written record of an agreement. 4. Ask a lawyer questions. In order for your attorney to serve you better, you must understand all aspects of your case and the legal process. Understanding the process will help you understand how the lawyer is working and what type of information is needed on your case. But remember, you are paying for your attorney’s time. It is more cost effective to ask several questions at once instead of calling your attorney every time one question comes to mind. You may be charged for each call depending on your fee agreement. 5. Understand what you sign. Before you sign a document, ask your attorney to fully explain to your satisfaction any document. What can be clear and routine to an attorney can be confusing to people without formal legal training. 6. Keep your own records. Ask for copies of all letters and documents prepared on your case. You should also keep the written fee agreement between you and your attorney in the file. You may have to access this information at some point in the future so it is important to maintain records. 7. Legal advice. Give careful and thoughtful consideration to what your attorney advises. The attorney’s judgments are based on legal training and experience. Remember that lawyers cannot work magic. No attorney wins every case, and sometimes the best legal advice may not be what you want to hear. Your attorney will provide advice that has your best legal interests in mind. The central focus of any case is the facts. Each side will have facts that contribute to the outcome of the case. It is the lawyer’s responsibility to make you aware of the potential outcome of your case based on the facts. HOW DO I PREPARE AND WHAT SHOULD I TAKE TO THE FIRST INTERVIEW? Plan to go to the first interview with an open mind. You do not have to decide to employ the attorney with whom you are interviewing until you have had time to think about the interview and your experience in communicating with the lawyer.

When you go to your initial consultation, it is important to have with you a written summary, or detailed notes outlining your problem. The notes or summary should include: 1. Names, addresses and phone numbers of all persons or companies involved 2. All documents which are part of your case, including a. Documents you have received from another attorney b. Documents you have received from a court c. Journals d. Written Correspondence (includes emails) e. Receipts f. Contracts g. Medical bills h. Repair estimates i. Checks, etc. j. Pictures k. Written notes detailing the history of your situation

The attorney may ask you to deliver written materials in advance of your first interview in order to have adequate time to review them. You may prefer to provide copies rather than originals at the initial interview. Remember that all lawyers are subject to attorney-client privilege and therefore, must maintain any information in strict confidence.

Next, prepare a list of questions for the attorney, such as: 1. Are you specialized and/or experienced in my type of problem? 2. Will you or one of your associates be handling my case? 3. Will you regularly contact me about the status of my case? 4. Will I be provided with copies of all important documents, and will there be a charge for those documents? 5. Will I be able to make the final decision on my case? 6. What is your estimate of time needed to complete my case? 7. What is the hourly billable rate? 8. What amount of retainer is required to request your services? REMEMBER: When you hire an attorney, the attorney will be working for you. He or she should be genuinely interested in your problem and in giving you the best possible advice. The attorney may not be able to accomplish everything you wish because of the facts or the laws that apply in your case. Many times the best advice an attorney can give will be to avoid court action. He or she may suggest other methods to resolve your matter, such as mediation.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT OF MY ATTORNEY? Here are a few tips about what to expect from your attorney. Your attorney should: 1. Give you candid, honest advice; 2. Tell you the strong and weak points of your case; this includes potential outcomes based on facts and your instructions on how to proceed 3. Keep you informed and follow your instructions, within the bounds of the law; 4. Protect and defend you to the best of his or her ability and to the fullest extent of the law; 5. While representing you, not represent any other client whose interests conflict with yours; 6. Provide you, if you ask, with copies of all letters and documents involved in your case; 7. Provide an itemized bill of all work done for you and all expenses incurred on your behalf.

WHAT WILL MY ATTORNEY EXPECT OF ME? The attorney will expect you to: 1. Be prompt for court dates and appointments; 2. Let him or her know how to keep in touch with you. If you have a change of address or phone number or place of employment, let your attorney know; and 3. Be completely honest — even if it is embarrassing to tell the truth about your problem. Remember, what you tell an attorney in private will be kept confidential. Even confessions to past crimes or criminal activity are going to be treated as confidential by your attorney. Exceptions to this rule of strict confidentiality are plans for future crimes and continuing criminal activity or if the attorney believes that you have or will cause injury to a child. Attorneys are required by law to report suspected child abuse. 4. Not withhold any important information during the conversation that could be potentially damaging to your situation. A common tactic is for the other party to discredit you. Therefore, it is crucial that you fully disclose anything you can think of that could be used against you later on in the proceedings. Understand that even with the weight of the facts on your side, the situation could change if information comes out later that gives the advantage to the other party, because this information was not disclosed earlier to the lawyer.

HOW MUCH WILL THE ATTORNEY CHARGE ME FOR HIS OR HER SERVICES? The attorney’s fee depends upon many variables, such as amount of time, the difficulty of the work, the skill required, the customary fee in your area for similar work, the experience, reputation and ability of the attorney, and whether the fee is a set amount or contingent on the outcome of the case. Some examples of fee arrangements include: Flat fee: The attorney may quote you a set amount or standard fee that he or she has arrived at for your type of legal problem. An example of a legal problem that could be covered in a flat-fee matter is an uncontested divorce without children or a simple will. In addition, lawyers usually expect you to pay court costs and to reimburse them for out-of-pocket expenses, such as travel, long distance, postage, courier, or copying expenses. It is important that you find out what any fixed fee covers. Hourly fee: An attorney may prefer to bill you by the hour and collect an initial retainer. Such fees may vary widely depending upon the complexity of the legal work, the skill of the attorney and whether there are time deadlines. If you agree to an hourly arrangement, you and the attorney could include a provision in your contract requiring the attorney not to exceed a specified amount of time or money without obtaining your permission. Insist that you be kept advised every month of the number of hours that the attorney is spending on your problem. You also have the right to ask for a written explanation of what the attorney did during the hours he or she worked on your case.

Questions about fees that you may want to ask are: 1. Can you give me an estimate of how much this legal matter will cost? 2. Can we have a written fee agreement that sets forth not only my obligation to pay you, but also exactly what services you will provide?

HOW SHOULD I MAKE MY DECISION TO HIRE AN ATTORNEY? Based on your first interview, you should consider the following factors before agreeing to hire an attorney: 1. Could you communicate effectively with the attorney? 2. Was the attorney clear and easy to understand? 3. Are fees reasonable in comparison with other lawyers’ charges? 4. Did the attorney give clear explanations of how he or she will let you know about progress in your case? 5. If you are not satisfied with this attorney, do not hire him or her. Look elsewhere for legal help. Houston Divorce and Family Lawyer

About the Author

Shannon Cavers is a Houston Divorce and Family Lawyer practicing in divorce, family law and probate. More information and articles can be found at her website at Cavers Law Firm

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