If you are filing a suit against a reckless or negligent party that has injured you or a loved one, the bulk of the work will be in the hands of your attorney.
This does not mean, however, that you play no part in these proceedings at are.
There are many things you can do to increase your chances of a satisfying outcome, right down to wearing the right outfit if you need to appear in court.
This article will outline a few tips for the average person involved in a legal case.
The first tip may seem the most obvious, yet many clients fail to observe it.
Be fully honest with the person you have hired to look after your bests interests.
It is the same situation as when you see your doctor: he or she cannot help you unless he or she is fully informed about your situation.
Do not worry about details that may seem embarrassing or even irrelevant; trust your attorney.
It is also very important to stay organized throughout the entire procedure.
Demonstrating the cause and extent of your injuries will probably require extensive documentation.
Keep important papers in clearly labeled files and keep them in a safe place.
Your lawyer can give you information on which documents you will need and when they will need to be presented.
A third thing to keep in mind is presentation while you are in court.
If you are late to the hearing, for example, the judge will think you are not taking this matter seriously.
It is very important to observe formal etiquette and remain calm, even if you are angry and upset.
Overwrought emotion displays in front of a judge are generally not helpful.
It may seem superficial, but it is a simple truth that clothing is a large part of overall presentation.
You need to dress as if you were attending a job interview or another important event.
Men should wear suits and ties, and women should wear suits or tasteful dresses.
If you look and act like a collected, intelligent individual, others will be more likely to listen to your side of the story.
If you need to testify, your self-presentation will become all the more vital to your case.
Stay calm, or you may appear vindictive, arrogant, or even just plain crazy.
Speak clearly, using correct grammar and pronunciation.
You may be tempted to use rare vocabulary words to impress others, but this can backfire; do not use a term unless you know exactly what it means and how it is pronounced.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a negligent party, contact Chicago personal injury lawyers Friedman & Bonebrake.