Assessing a Potential Case
Posted Thursday, November 14, 2013 by Chris Thayer
Being injured in an accident is, unfortunately, not in itself enough to warrant an injury claim. When you meet with you Seattle injury attorney he will need to determine whether your claim has a likelihood of succeeding. He will evaluate a number of elements, which are described below.
The Instigator and WitnessesIf the claimant is completely at fault for instigating the accident that led to his or her injuries, a Seattle injury attorney may not be able to make a strong personal injury case.
In order to determine which party is liable for the accident—the plaintiff or defendant—a Seattle injury lawyer could ask a potential client clarifying questions such as:
- Were you abiding by the law before and during the incident?
- Were you under the influence of any drugs or alcohol at the time of the incident?
Assuming that a claimant is not completely at fault for causing his or her incident, a Seattle injury attorney could be more willing to undertake the case if the claimant can provide evidentiary support like witness statements and photographs.
Time Elapsed Since the IncidentOne of the first factors a Seattle injury lawyer may want to discuss is the amount of time elapsed since the accident occurred. If the incident took place several months ago, an attorney could be hesitant to accept the plaintiff’s case for many reasons.
- It may be difficult to collect evidence.
- The statute of limitations could limit the case’s lifetime.
- It could be difficult for a Seattle injury attorney to argue that the plaintiff’s injuries warrant reparations if the claimant did not report them quickly.
The Nature of the Potential Client’s InjuriesClaimants must be able to describe their injuries and degree of recovery. If a Seattle injury attorney believes that a potential client’s physical condition does not warrant the time and effort necessary to invest in a personal injury case, he or she could decline representation.
Receive a Consultation of Your CaseIf you’re unsure whether you should pursue a personal injury case, the best course of action is to consult a reputable Seattle injury attorney. Contact Chris Thayer at (206) 340-2008 to discuss your potential case.