Most personal injury cases can be settled without involving a courtroom appearance by either party. In certain situations insurance companies can prove to be extremely difficult to deal with, so your attorney might suggest bringing a court case against them. If this does happen then you will be expected to give your version of events from the witness stand.
We’d like to share some important tips with you that can be the difference between the outright success and total failure of your personal injury claim.
Avoid Social Media
We have lost count of how many plaintiffs we’ve seen destroy their own personal injury cases by posting content on social media platforms that argue against the fact they’re injured. Defense attorneys now understand that Facebook, Instagram and Twitter are a goldmine of information in personal injury cases, especially if you’re posting pictures of yourself performing physical activities you’re claiming are impossible due to your injuries. Avoid all social media activity until the successful conclusion of your personal injury claim.
Preparation
During your case you’ll be expected to give a deposition, where you’ll be asked a number of questions by the defense attorney. A court reporter will record everything you say, so be very clear about the way you answer certain questions. This means mentally preparing yourself well in advance of the court date, and also rehearse your deposition with your attorney if possible. Being fully prepared for your court case can give you a distinct advantage over the defense attorneys.
Dress Smartly
Turning up to your court date wearing jeans and trainers is a bad idea because it sets the wrong tone for everything you do and say from that point onwards –watching even one episode of Judge Judy will teach you that lesson. If you don’t already own a clean suit then rent one, or make sure you’re wearing clean business casual clothes at the very minimum. This means a clean shirt and tie, or clean blouse and skirt or pants. Shave, have your hair cut and do everything else you can to make yourself look like a respectable member of society because you need to make a great first impression on everyone attending your case.
Be Honest
You won’t score brownie points, or increase the amount of your compensation, by exaggerating the extent of your injuries. In fact, any exaggeration on your part could be used by the defense attorney to demonstrate that you’re more interested in a big compensation payout than telling the truth and being fairly compensated for your actual injuries. Sometimes telling the whole truth means saying “I don’t know”, because if you don’t know the correct answer then you shouldn’t guess. If you tell lies while under oath you’ll be committing perjury, which you can be imprisoned for.
Communicate
Please make sure that you speak clearly and slowly and listen carefully to the question being asked before attempting to answer it. Don’t rely on shrugs or other body language to communicate with anyone questioning you. Read all documents carefully before commenting on them, including police reports, or anything else related to your claim. Don’t be afraid to disagree with documentation handed to you but do so politely. Only ever answer the question you were asked, and without adding any more information than is necessary – defense attorneys will be looking for any excuse to throw you off balance.
If you need further advice on pursuing your personal injury claim, please feel free to contact us today.