Tips to Build a Good Relationship With Your Accident Lawyer

By WP Editor | January 24, 2022

A good relationship with your accident lawyer can make your lawyer’s work easy, increase your satisfaction in the lawyer’s work, and hasten your case. Such a relationship will not come by itself. You have to work for it. Below are some tips to strengthen your relationship with the lawyer.

Use the Initial Consultation for Screening

Most accident lawyers offer a free initial consultation. Both the lawyer and the client need the initial consultation to assess the case and evaluate each other. For example, your attorney will use the consultation to:

  • Understand the facts of the case and determine whether you have a claim
  • Evaluate the evidence you have
  • Assess your damages
  • Gauge your personality and determine whether they can work with you

Similarly, you should also use the occasion to:

  • Determine whether the lawyer has the qualifications to handle your case
  • Understand whether the lawyer has handled similar cases in the past
  • Develop a rapport with the lawyer

You can have a good relationship with your lawyer only if you respect and trust each other. Use the initial consultation to determine whether that is possible.

Develop a Communication Strategy

Inadequate communication with your lawyer can leave you frustrated. Again, both you and the lawyer have a role to play to ensure you communicate effectively. Discover some tips that can help:

  • Understand the lawyer’s preferred means of communication and determine if you can handle it. For example, if the lawyer likes phone calls, you should have the time for those calls.
  • Ensure you understand each other’s expectations. For example, inform your lawyer if you expect an update of your case every two days.
  • Seek clarifications for communications you don’t understand.

Effective communication means you understand each other, which allows your lawyer to further your interests in the case.

Understand Your Role

You also need to understand your role once you start working with the lawyer. For example, you should know:

  • What documents you should furnish the lawyer with
  • Whether the lawyer expects some legwork, such as light inquiries or investigations, from you
  • How often you will meet with the lawyer
  • What you can or cannot talk about with the defendant or other third parties

Don’t make any assumptions. Lawyers have different personalities and working strategies, just like other people. You also have your way of doing things. Your lawyer’s expectations of your role should not clash with your expectations of the same. Understand each other to avoid such a disagreement from the beginning.

Be Utterly Honest

Decide to be utterly honest with your lawyer from the start to the end of the case. For example, do not hesitate to inform your lawyer:

  • About your pre-existing injuries
  • About additional injuries that you might suffer before your case concludes
  • If you have discussed your case with other people
  • Whether you made any liability confessionals
  • Whether you have a criminal history

Not disclosing the truth to your lawyer can:

  • Make their work more difficult
  • Increase your legal fees and case expenses

Moreover, you have nothing to fear because your lawyer won’t judge you. The attorney-client privilege also means your lawyer won’t leak your communications to third parties.

Take Their Legal Advice

Lastly, trust your lawyer and follow their legal advice. Don’t hire a lawyer and then start listening to third parties. For example, a friend might tell you how they won a certain amount of damages after a fender bender. Don’t let such things affect your expectations with your case because accident cases vastly differ.

The Wenck Firm has practiced injury law for over two decades. We care for our clients and will do everything in our power to ensure you get the resolution you want. Contact us for a free initial consultation to assess your case and determine the way forward.

“This Blog/Web Site is made available by The Wenck Firm, LLC, for educational purposes. It provides general information and a general understanding of the law, but does not provide specific legal advice. By using this site, commenting on posts, or sending inquiries through the site or contact email, you confirm that there is no attorney-client relationship between you and the Blog/Web Site publisher. The Blog/Web Site should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.”

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