If you have been involved in a West Virginia car accident, you might be feeling scared and confused about bringing a personal injury claim for the compensation you believe you deserve. Preparing for personal injury court is far from stress-free, which is why it is extremely helpful to understand some ways that you can lessen your stress as you head toward these proceedings.
Though personal injury court might only take a couple of days to weeks, it will be one of the most stressful and worrying moments of your life as justice hangs in the line. Let’s take a close look at some of the ways that you can prepare for a West Virginia personal injury claim.
How to Prepare for Personal Injury Court as a Plaintiff
File Before the Deadlines: First and foremost, always remember that there is a statute of limitations in your case, which means that there are deadlines that must be met or else you could be barred from bringing your claim. With the help of an attorney, you can keep track of these important deadlines so that you don’t miss out on your chance in court.
Remember Your Documents: You should always have as many documents as possible when you are bringing your personal injury claim to court, as you will be able to show the impact that your personal injuries have had on your life. From the moment that you have been injured and know that you will be bringing a claim, you should be compiling as many documents as possible. This means all of the receipts and medical bills that you have obtained, as well as the treatment you will need in the future. It also means aspects like past paychecks you have received at work and police reports.
Trial Procedures: If you have never been to court before, you should be familiar with the many trial procedures that might play a role in your case. This includes speaking with your attorney about the layout of the courtroom and how the court works. By gaining an understanding of the courtroom, you might not feel as nervous about what is to come.
Practicing Testimony: You should sit down with your attorney a couple of times to go over sample questions and practice the testimony that will come up in your case to ensure that you are not as stressed when the day comes and you are more prepared.
Dress Nicely: You want to leave a good impression with the courts, which is why you want to dress as nicely as possible. Your attorney might give you some guidelines so that you will appear as professional as possible. Speak with your attorney about what is acceptable to make the best impression with the judge or jury.
Questions to Ask: If you have questions about your injury case, talk to your attorney about it so that you can lessen your stress and avoid being confused on the big day in court when it arrives.
Speaking with an Experienced West Virginia Personal Injury Attorney
With an attorney on your side, you will be able to handle anything that is thrown at you after you have experienced a personal injury in a West Virginia car accident. Our personal injury attorneys at Katz, Kantor, Stonestreet & Buckner have handled a wide variety of cases and will help you every step of the way. Please reach out to us for more information at (304) 713-2014.