When you work with an attorney to help you pursue compensation for an injury caused by someone else’s negligence, there are certain legal and ethical obligations he or she has to your case.
Below, we discuss some of the most important obligations attorneys have to their clients.
If you have questions about filing a claim or your legal right to pursue compensation for an accident caused by someone else’s negligent actions, call our Fort Worth personal injury lawyers today. We offer a free consultation and do not charge you anything up front.
Your Attorney Should Act in Your Best Interests
An attorney is expected to work in the best interests of his or her clients. This means providing sound legal advice about pursuing maximum compensation.
For example, you can choose to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation in court, or you can agree to a settlement with the insurance company to get the compensation you need for your damages. An attorney working in your best interest, and who is in possession of all the facts of your case, should not force you to go to court if your case is not strong enough to convince a jury.
On the other hand, an attorney working in your best interests should not force you to accept a lowball settlement offer from the insurance company if he or she knows you may be able to get more compensation. If your attorney thinks you have a good chance of recovering more compensation in court, he or she should explain this to you.
When you work with an attorney, he or she should provide legal advice tailored to your situation and needs and not his or her firm’s profits.
Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means that we do not get paid unless our clients do. Therefore, our interests align with yours and our attorneys are prepared to work hard on your behalf.
Your Right to Competent Representation
Injury victims who work with an attorney also have the right to competent representation. That means the attorney you hire to represent your interests in a case must be capable of doing so.
If you are working with an attorney who lacks experience handling a case like yours, he or she could be obligated to seek outside help from someone who is more qualified.
At Anderson & Cummings, our attorneys have over 50 years of combined experience handling injury cases in Fort Worth and throughout Texas. Working with us means you will have a qualified legal team to represent you during your claim.
Your Right to Honest and Consistent Communication
Honest and consistent communication are also important obligations attorneys have to injury victims. You have the right to be kept up to date on information about your case, including how it is being negotiated, whether an offer for a settlement has been made and other aspects that may need your input. Remember, your attorney is legally obligated to consult with you before accepting any settlement agreement with an insurance company.
Just because honesty and consistent communications are obligations does not mean attorneys should scrape by with minimum effort. Attorneys should build trust with their clients, and honest, consistent communication could play a large role in building trust.
When a client lacks trust in his or her attorney, there is a greater likelihood that he or she will seek out other representation.
Importance of Confidentiality
Communications between an attorney and his or her client are considered privileged information. This means your attorney is not legally obligated to disclose anything you tell him or her during a case or a trial.
Attorneys are under ethical obligation to keep your case, and information about you, private. In other words, attorneys should not be discussing a client’s case in public.
We Are Prepared to Help. Call Today
If you have questions about your legal options and rights after an accident caused by someone else’s negligent actions, call our knowledgeable attorneys today.
The consultation is free and there are no upfront fees. We do not get paid unless we successfully recover compensation on your behalf.
No upfront fees. No risks. Call (817) 920-9000 today.