If you are currently working with a personal injury attorney, you may have reservations about telling them everything about your medical and financial histories due to embarrassment or fear of being judged. It can be uncomfortable to share some details at the time; however, withholding information from your injury lawyer can hurt your case. An Atlanta personal injury law firm has attorneys who understand your concerns and will discuss them with you during your initial consultation. Keep reading to know why you should be honest with your personal injury attorney:
There is Attorney-Client Privilege
This legal privilege keeps communications between you and your lawyer private. These include phone calls, emails, text messages, and other forms of communication. It applies every time you discuss your case with your injury attorney. But you can also waive this privilege in writing. Additionally, your attorney has a duty of confidentiality to you. Therefore, you should not worry about whatever you will share with your attorney about your case.
Helping Your Lawyer Prepare for Negotiations
After filing a personal injury claim, you must give important information to your lawyer to help them build a case for you and prepare for arguments that the insurance company may make. Also, by being upfront, you help your lawyer prepare for negotiations. The following are pieces of information your attorney will want you to share with them:
- Medical history. You must be honest about your medical history with your treating physician and attorney. You should disclose previous injuries and pre-existing conditions. Your attorney will need to have access to an accurate medical history to better build your case and negotiate a favorable settlement. Even if you have a pre-existing condition, you can still seek compensation. As long as your lawyer knows your medical history, they can counter any arguments about your injuries.
- Financial situation. You need to discuss financial events such as divorce or bankruptcy with your attorney. Their awareness of their financial situation will allow them to better advise you. For example, they can structure settlements in a way to protect you from garnishment or creditors.
Moreover, as insurance companies investigate your financial situation and discover that you have financial struggles, they may leverage your situation to encourage you to accept a lowball offer from them.
- Criminal history. Ensure your lawyer knows about any criminal history, including a criminal driving record. Insurers will attack your credibility using this information
