You should hear from your personal injury attorney any time there’s an update on the status of your pending compensation claim, and receive regular updates on the claim process. Your lawyer will also reach out when they need information for their case-building and investigation (like financial disclosure documents), and if the other side has requested specific information during the discovery phase of your trial.
In the meantime, how do you communicate with your lawyer? Will a personal injury case manager be answering your questions and providing updates, or will you be hearing directly from your attorney personally?
When you’re selecting the right Denver personal injury attorney for your case, choose an experienced attorney whose communication style you feel comfortable with, whether you need frequent updates to ease your mind or you’re more of a “don’t call unless there’s a settlement offer” type of person.
The frequency of communications from your law firm depends on the stage of your case and how quickly things progress, but open communication is essential for a positive result. Here’s what you can expect from your lawyer and how often you should hear from your personal injury attorney.
Communication timeline of a Colorado personal injury case
In the immediate weeks following filing a lawsuit, expect to hear from your lawyer fairly frequently, likely weekly or even more often, as they gather the information they need to build a case of negligence against the at-fault party.
You’ll be asked for your medical bills for your post-accident medical treatment. You may be asked to undergo medical evaluations from experts enlisted by your lawyer to affirm the extent of your injuries. Your lawyer will also request all documentation you have related to the case, including estimates from insurance companies (auto, health, workers’ comp, depending on your type of claim), any physical evidence you have, and other relevant information.
As the case progresses, communication will likely slow, but expect to hear updates from your lawyer, including settlement offers from the other party and notices of any court hearings you’ll be expected to attend.
Don’t worry if a couple of weeks go by; sometimes, the civil justice system moves slowly, especially if the other party drags their heels about providing essential documents and other information to your lawyer.
If you do have concerns about the frequency of updates, though, don’t hesitate to discuss them with your attorney.
What kind of communication can I expect from my personal injury lawyer?
Expect proactive updates on your case from your lawyer, even if it’s just a monthly notification assuring you that they are working on building your case and waiting for your trial date to arrive. You should always be alerted when a significant event occurs, like:
- A hearing in court
- A request for information from the defense
- Being deposed as part of the defendant’s discovery preparations
- An order from the judge to attend mediation or binding arbitration
- A settlement offer from the defense
Communication goes two ways; you’re responsible for advocating for yourself in the case, including providing your lawyer with new medical information, changes in your condition, or any issues you are experiencing. They may need to adjust their approach or the amount of damages if you develop health complications.
Work with a lawyer who puts you first
If you can’t get anyone from the law firm to answer your messages or requests for information, you may have grounds to dismiss that lawyer and seek a more reliable one.
Have you been hurt in an accident and need help getting compensation for your losses? We want to hear your story. Call Zara Injury Law today at (866) 823-8288 for a free case evaluation.