If you have been injured through the negligence of a third party, you need to act quickly to preserve and protect your rights. Hiring an experienced personal injury attorney shortly after your accident can help you get proper medical treatment and protect your legal claim while minimizing potential problems while dealing with other parties.
First, as an injured plaintiff, you need to seek proper medical treatment. There is no amount of compensation that can take the place of the pain or injuries you have endured. Therefore, it is in your best interest to make sure you are property treated. Your attorney may be able to assist you when choosing among several different medical providers based upon their experience in helping similarly situated people.
Second, if an insurance company or defendant wants to talk with you regarding your injuries from the accident and you have already retained an attorney, do not speak to them except to refer them to your attorney. You should never talk to anyone about your legal case without your attorney present. Your attorney can handle the responsibilities of setting an appropriate and convenient time, thereby alleviating any undue stress or burden on you.
Third, you should remain in control of who represents you in your legal claim by acting first. It is a violation of the Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct if a lawyer attempts to persuade you to let him have your case, unless you were a former client, family member or you contacted him first within thirty-days of your accident. This rule applies to mailings, emails, phone calls, or person-to-person contact. Do not allow yourself to be bullied by attorneys who are violating the rules of professional conduct. It is in your best interest to choose the attorney who can help you rather than allowing an attorney to do the choosing for you.
There is a myriad of obstacles and potential pitfalls in any injury claim. However, the sooner you get an experienced personal injury attorney on your side, the more likely you are to successfully navigate the legal process and avoid the stressfulness of doing it yourself.