How to Build the Best Relationship With Your Legal Team
A personal injury attorney is someone that should be able to rely on for legal guidance during a stressful time. The attorney-client privilege protects anything you say to them, so you confide in them.
Your confidence in their direction is as important as them having your best interest at heart. It is not just about signing a contract; it is about building a good relationship with your legal experts. So how can you make the most of your relationship with your Atlanta personal injury legal team?
Work With a Lawyer That Is Right for You
Meet with multiple attorneys in Atlanta before deciding which one you want to hire. Free initial consultations with lawyers are essentially job interviews where you’re trying to figure out who is right for you and your case. Choosing the right Atlanta personal injury lawyer for your needs is important.
Work with an attorney that you feel like you can be confident in. Do they listen closely to your story? Are they honest with you? Do they communicate legal language in a way that you can understand?
Depending on what kind of case you have, you could be working with your attorney for a long time. Working well together is essential, but you should also look for legal assistance in the specific areas of law relevant to your case.
It can be challenging to find a car crash, medical malpractice or slip and fall personal injury law firm with experience in the specific type of case you have; that is why at ATL Elite, we have identified local Atlanta attorneys with several practice area focuses including:
- Medical Malpractice
- Car, Truck and Motorcycle Accidents
- Dog Bites
- Medical Malpractice
- Traumatic Brain and Spine Injuries
- Catastrophic Injuries
Go Into Your Appointments and Free Consultation Prepared
Don't expect your personal injury lawyer to do all the work. There are some ways that you can be prepared and help them do the best job they possibly can for you. It takes a combined effort to build a case; that means telling them every detail you recall and giving them any pertinent information (medical records, accident photos, etc.) or items they can use.
If your legal team has given you deadlines, be sure to meet them because they also have to answer to the court. Try to get any information and documents that they have requested quickly.
Also, take your attorney's advice when it’s offered. If you are unsure of something, ask questions. The more that you communicate with your counsel, the more they can provide proper service.
Failing to follow their recommendations could cost you the case, waste time and prolong the process.
If you are meeting with your personal injury lawyer in person, or you have to go to court, come prepared, mentally and physically. Dress appropriately and act in accordance with your lawyer’s recommendations.
Make Time a Priority
Time is precious, especially for attorneys. They might be working on a case for you and three other people at the same time. Being respectful of their time is crucial. That means being concise, sticking to business, being on time for meetings and keeping phone calls and meetings to their time limits.
Any Atlanta personal injury attorney that you are working with should be upfront about their contingency fee structure from the moment they begin working with you. They should be honest about their contingency fee percentage up front and give you examples of what similar cases like yours were worth at the outset of your case. Just remember there are no guarantees in law, so be warry of any lawyers who guarantee specific dollar amounts or case expectations.
It also helps to let your legal team know your schedule and availability. Timing and deadlines are crucial in court cases. If there is a conflict or something has changed during the course of your personal injury case preparation, be sure to inform them.
Teamwork
While your legal team cannot be your friend and represent you simultaneously to properly do their job, remember that you are still on the same team. Personal injury attorneys are advocates for you. Unlike the defendant’s attorneys, your attorney doesn’t work for the insurance company; they work for you. Set clear goals and work towards them together.
Needing a lawyer may be stressful, but the better you work together, the less painful it will be. At the end of the day, remember that everyone is human. You can learn more about dedicated Atlanta personal injury lawyers who will fight for you on our website.
