STEPS TO TAKE AFTER A CATASTROPHIC EVENT AND HIRING A LAWYER
When you or a loved one is involved in a catastrophic accident, the first step is to make sure the proper authorities are notified, seek medical treatment, and contact police immediately if that is necessary. Secondly, notify your employer if an accident happens while you are working. Additionally, recording everything that transpires can aid towards your benefit and accumulating any tangible or concrete evidence in your possession. If applicable, secure anything you have on your telephone, such as telephone messages and retain all of your correspondence in one place, such as a diary or a log.
Furthermore, maintain any witness names and contact information. Among your initial first steps are to contact a lawyer for guidance to assist you through the process. This includes matters related to preserving your rights, determining deadlines, identifying issues, and deploy necessary investigation efforts.
How Critical is the Collection of Evidence as an Initial Step?
Among the initial measures that need to be taken with these claims is the collection of evidence. Evidence and witnesses are critical; we are not there at the scene of a catastrophic event, so we rely heavily on the individual or their family members, when possible, to obtain whatever they can. Employing capable and skilled private investigators who will collect evidence and information after the event or an accident occurs is crucial in documenting your case. If the injured party or a family member can take photographs of a defective piece of equipment or a damaged vehicle and any debris at the scene, it would be very helpful. A lawyer is necessary to be retained who has access to the required resources to secure evidence and properly investigate an accident.
Research Before you Hire a Lawyer to Handle your Claim
When seeking legal guidance and an attorney, it is very important to consider what questions you will need to ask in regard to the specialization of the case, the lawyer's experience, and the accountability of the lawyer. An injured party needs to take great care when researching law firms. In navigating through the many attorneys available, the injured party should spend time interviewing the prospective attorney to make sure they feel comfortable working with them. You can familiarize yourself with the law firm or attorney in advance by checking websites and paying careful attention to testimonials if they are available.
There are many well-respected and long-lived attorneys or law firms that advertise decently, but there are other attorneys that are not quite as proficient. There are boutique law firms that are skilled and specialized, but there are also high-volume firms that can fall short of the mark when it comes to serious legal representation. There are distinctions between the ways in which law firms operate and conduct business, and there are differences in terms of how effectively a law firm can pick up a case and bring it to a meaningful conclusion through proper litigation.
Law firms advertise in different ways, such as placing ads on billboards and buses, while others do so by sponsoring sports teams or weather reports. Thorough and accurate research is a crucial starting point in building and pursuing your case. Your legal and financial outcome depends greatly on this decision.
Asking the Right Questions
The injured party wants to make sure that they ask the right questions about experience, results, availability and access to essential resources, as well as about the attorney's capacity to handle the sophisticated nature and the individual elements of their claim. An attorney's answers to the following key questions should be strongly considered:
- Have you handled many cases like mine?
- What resources do you have available?
- How will I communicate with you throughout the process?
- What are your attorney fees and costs, and how are they billed?
Setting Expectations
You will want to meet with the attorney in person, making sure that you see eye-to-eye on how you will proceed. Occasionally, there is a philosophical difference between a client and a lawyer that becomes apparent later on in the process. It is better to understand that you can get along and that you have the same perspective about what you are trying to accomplish at an early juncture. It can be complicated to switch lawyers later in the case, so it is better to get the decision right in the beginning. This takes some talking and reflecting, and while it's not necessary, it is ideal for it to be done in person.
To learn more about the crucial steps to follow on making an injury claim and other beneficial information related to personal injury cases in Connecticut, I encourage you to download our pocket guide for free via this link: Book Download
The following case is successfully handled in Connecticut courts by Attorney Levin.
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