Navigating a personal injury case can be overwhelming. This article clarifies your role as a plaintiff, emphasizing the importance of staying connected with your attorney, following medical advice, and actively participating in the legal process.
GJEL Accident Attorneys provide personalized guidance, ensuring you understand each step, from gathering documents to preparing for trial. Learn how we work together to achieve the best possible outcome for your case.
Your Role in a California Personal Injury Case: Be Informed, Be Involved (GJEL Accident Attorneys)
- Stay Connected: Keep your lawyer informed about treatment, doctor visits, and insurance interactions.
- Follow Doctor’s Orders: Complete medical treatment to maximize case value and recovery.
- Gather Documents & Answer Questions: Provide details and documents and respond to inquiries to build a strong case.
- Prepare for Deposition & Mediation: Be ready to answer questions about your accident and injuries.
- Trial is Possible: In rare cases, be prepared to present your case before a judge and jury.
Read the full article for a California personal injury attorney’s detailed explanation of a plaintiff’s role in a personal injury case. Learn how GJEL Accident Attorneys works with you to achieve the best possible outcome.
New clients ask me that all the time. What is their involvement going to consist of?
I tell them there are a couple of general rules to keep in mind.
Keep In touch with your attorneys
First of all, you’ve got to keep in touch with us. We can’t do a great job on your case without your help. We need to know whether you have been able to return to work, and if you have not, we want to know more about the medical treatment you are receiving.
Have you been contacted by insurance companies—your own or the other driver’s insurance company—to request a statement? Has the other driver’s lawyer attempted to contact you even though you have a personal injury attorney?
These are all things we need to know, and in many cases, we will want to prepare you for any conversations you will need to have that can affect the outcome of your case. For instance, if you need to give a recorded statement to an insurer, you do not want to do this until you have spoken at length with a California personal injury attorney. The better you stay in contact with us and continue to update us on your progress, the more we can assist with your claim.
Make sure to follow your doctor’s advice and guidance
Secondly, if you’re still treating for your accident or injuries, please make sure to follow your doctor’s advice–follow their treatment recommendations–because there’s nothing we can do to finally resolve your case until you’re medically stable. We will also want to keep track of your doctor’s appointments, treatment schedules and surgeries, and rehabilitative therapy appointments.
If the accident resulted in emotional distress, and you have sought treatment from a mental health counselor, we want to know about that, too. This information will be extremely important when seeking damages in your case. You should not be responsible for paying for any of the necessary treatment associated with an accident that resulted from another party’s negligence.
Assist us in answering the questions and getting the facts of the case
Regarding the formalities of litigation, your role (among other things) as a plaintiff will be to assist us in answering written questions. You’ll work with our paralegal assistants to provide personal information (specific information) about the case. You’ll produce documents. If you have a wage loss claim, we’ll need some check stubs or W2s, for example.
All this information will help us build the strongest case we can for you. The more information we get from you, the better we can serve you in the litigation process. All of this detailed information will ultimately allow us to seek financial compensation for you that can help compensate you for your economic losses (such as the cost of medical bills and lost wages) and non-economic losses (such as pain and suffering or the loss of enjoyment of life).
Be prepared to give a deposition
Further on down the road, you’ll give a deposition. What that is is basically a question and answer session. I’ll be there, and the lawyer from the other side will ask you questions (under oath) about your accident, about your injuries, and how they’ve affected your life.
We will prepare you for the deposition by working with you one-on-one as you prepare for this important step in the litigation process. We know this can be very stressful for plaintiffs, but it helps us learn more about the defendant’s side of the story to better prepare your case.
Attend the mediation if there is one
The next step would normally be to attend a mediation process, where both sides agree to hire a neutral party to help them resolve the case before trial. This is the stage at which cases can be settled. Depending on the nature of your case and the settlement offer, a settlement might be best for you. Often, we can negotiate generous settlement offers for our clients, and you can begin moving on with your life. You must show up for the mediation process, though. As we mentioned previously, we cannot do this without you.
Get ready to go to trial
Next, there would be a trial if your case hasn’t settled up to that point. That’s a little more involved, but it’s what you’ve seen in movies and TV. You’d be on the stand answering questions before a judge and jury. Of course, we will do everything to prepare you for that.
Ultimately, your active participation as a plaintiff is crucial to the success of your personal injury case. By maintaining open communication with your attorney, diligently following your doctor’s recommendations, and providing thorough documentation, you contribute significantly to building a strong and compelling case.
Remember, legal proceedings can be complex, but with the right legal team, like GJEL Accident Attorneys, you’ll have the support and guidance needed to navigate each phase, from initial consultations to potential trial scenarios.
Your involvement ensures that your unique experiences and losses are accurately represented, maximizing your chances of securing fair compensation.
At GJEL, we understand your challenges and are committed to working alongside you every step of the way. By empowering you with knowledge and preparing you for each stage, we aim to alleviate the stress and uncertainty associated with personal injury litigation, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
But mostly, you work with us, you listen to us, and we listen to you. That’s the best way for you to have the best outcome.
Questions? Contact a Northern California Accident Lawyer
At GJEL Accident Attorneys, we provide personalized representation to each client. As such, you will play an extremely important role throughout the litigation process. Did you recently sustain injuries in a motor vehicle collision or in a pedestrian accident?
An experienced California accident lawyer can get started on your case. Contact GJEL Accident Attorneys today to learn more about the services we provide.
Written by Andy Gillin. Last Updated 03/12/2025