If you have been injured in an accident that was not your fault, you may be getting ready to take your case to court. Some 95% of personal injury cases settle out of court, but if you and your personal injury attorney have been unable to negotiate a fair settlement offer from the other side, then going to court is the next step. Most personal injury attorneys are ready and able to represent you in court, but you should know that you also have a vital role to play in the trial process. Read on to learn how to be a team player in your court case and ensure a successful trial experience.
1. Be prepared to be interrogated on every aspect of your claim when you are called to the witness stand. Stay calm and cool, no matter what the other side's attorney throws your way in the form of questioning.
2. Your attorney will be able to prepare you ahead of time with commonly asked questions so that you can practice your answers. Being able to answer questions smoothly and thoughtfully makes a favorable impression on judges and juries.
3. Answer the questions completely, but don't allow yourself to ramble on. The defendant's attorney will be skilled in asking open-ended questions, hoping that you will misspeak or contradict a previous statement.
4. It's easy to misinterpret a question or to blurt something out in error when you are under the stresses of being interrogated in open court. Don't get flustered; simply correct yourself as soon as possible to ensure an accurate court record.
5. Be ready to have your privacy violated. Unfortunately, appearing in court can open up your private financial, criminal, medical and employment records as potential sources of evidence, which can sometimes be to your advantage but is often harmful to your case. Your best course of action is to be honest with your attorney so that preparations can be made for dealing with any negative issues in your past.
6. Trials can be extremely lengthy. Instead of a smooth progression from opening to closing statements, trials progress more like an obstacle course, with motions, hearings, continuances, pleadings and other issues all at work to extend many court cases from months to even years.
7. Be prepared to have your every move possibly photographed and recorded, from the time you file suit to the final verdict. The other side will hire investigators to follow you and attempt to record you in the act of carrying out a behavior that you claimed you could no longer do because of your injury.
The very word "trial" can be defined as "ordeal", but with good prior preparation and the help of a skillful personal injury attorney, you can look forward to your day in court as a form of rightful vindication for your injuries.
Share27 August 2015
When you get into a serious car accident, things can become complicated quickly. In addition to worrying about other lawyers and problems with your vehicle, you might also be left with serious injuries that keep you from enjoying your life. On top of everything else, you might be left with a huge stack of medical bills, and it can be hard to know what to do next. I want you to understand that there is hope, which is why this blog is all about hiring an attorney. By using this advice, you might be able to streamline your case and enjoy a larger settlement.
