When you retain a Colorado personal injury attorney, you should be able to rest assured that he or she considers your case important and is committed to obtaining maximum compensation for your injuries.
6 Important Things You Have a Right to Expect When Filing a Colorado Lawsuit
The attorney-client relationship is just that — a relationship between two parties, complete with rights and responsibilities for each. These are some of the things a client should expect from a Colorado personal injury attorney.
1. A Thorough Case Assessment
An attorney is responsible for talking to prospective clients to fully assess their cases. Through what is known as the initial client interview, a personal injury lawyer will conduct an interview (typically free) to identify the main issues regarding the matter, to conduct research that will help them build a solid case, and to determine the legal remedies that may be available. This will help you understand the claims process and set your expectations accordingly.
2. No Up-Front Fees — Unless Otherwise Specified
Unlike attorneys who practice in other areas of law, such as divorce, criminal law, or estate planning, most personal injury lawyers handle cases on a contingency basis, meaning they do not require an up-front fee or retainer for their services. Instead, they will receive payment once you receive a settlement check from your adversary’s insurance company or when your case concludes through settlement, mediation, or litigation.
3. Their Devoted Attention
As a client, you deserve an attorney who will treat you and your case with compassion and energy, regardless of the size and scope of the matter. When you retain an attorney, you should be able to rest assured that he or she considers your case important and is committed to obtaining maximum compensation for your injuries. However, you are likely not the only client your attorney has, so temper your expectations accordingly by keeping your interactions case-related as much as possible.
4. Regular Communication
Attorneys are very busy people, but that should not mean weeks or months of silence after you sign the retainer agreement. Attorneys and their staff are required to keep you in the loop and provide you with regular updates regarding your case, in the form of copies of correspondence, phone calls, emails, or face-to-face meetings. You should expect your attorney to stay informed about your medical treatment and physical recovery.
5. Ethical Representation
All attorneys are bound to follow a strict set of principles known as the Rules of Professional Conduct that outline their duties to prospective, current, and former clients, including representing them in an ethical manner. While the specified guidelines vary from state to state, attorneys are required to exercise due diligence related to any matter they agree to work on and have a duty of confidentiality regarding all client communications, with very limited exceptions.
6. Strong Advocacy
Personal injury attorneys must work on behalf of their clients. They must be loyal and work hard to protect their clients’ best interests rather than their own. This advocacy is provided through counseling clients, delivering legal advice, and crafting written and oral arguments to insurance companies, adverse parties, and courts. After all, if they don’t work hard to win your case, they won’t get paid. Period.
Did you sustain serious injuries in a Colorado auto accident? Contact Colorado personal injury attorney Dan Rosen for a free consultation to discuss the details of your case.