OrlandoEvery Case Demands a Respectful Attitude
Any experienced personal injury attorney in Orlando or Melbourne Florida will frequently recommend a reasonable settlement before taking a personal injury claim to court. However, many cases exist where a trial simply cannot be fairly avoided. Preparations for the court are just as important to the client as they are for your Orlando or Melbourne Florida accident attorney. If you are required to testify your complaint before a judge or jury, you will need your appearance in court to reflect favorably on your case. Studies across the country have revealed that jurors who feel unsympathetic towards the plaintiff are less likely to rule in favor of a maximum recovery. If you have an impending trial scheduled in the near future, remember these important facts about proper courtroom etiquette.
Remain Open and Honest
Always speak clearly and concisely, and avoid mumbling or shouting your answers. Fidgeting and other common signs of discomfort are often misread as signs of dishonesty that can hurt the results of your case. Your Melbourne or Orlando personal injury attorney will encourage you to answer all questions directly so that you can explain your situation in no uncertain terms. After all, if you are a victim of personal injury, you have every right to demand fair compensation. Be direct, but always polite. A person who appears argumentative or immature will quickly be deemed unsuitable for court.
Above all, always be entirely truthful. Even if you must admit error on your own part, Florida laws concerning comparative negligence can still hold other parties at least partially responsible for your injuries. Share every detail with your Orlando personal injury lawyer, so that he or she can build a dependable case in your favor. If you are proven to be dishonest in even the smallest way, your entire testimony will come under an immovable cloud of doubt.
Be Well Groomed
You would never show up for a job interview or the first date look shabby or unkempt, and your appearance in court is every bit as important. A knowledgeable Melbourne or Orlando personal injury lawyer will encourage you to appear to the jury as a social peer, not a social parasite. Appearing clean, fresh and professional will add to your confidence and help eliminate the stigma that many liability claims are “frivolous”.
Remember to be well groomed, but not over-dressed. Anything flashy or tacky in your appearance or behavior will be a distraction from the real issue. Poor choice in appearance shows a lack of seriousness, maturity, and humility.
Communicate Regularly with Your Orlando or Melbourne Accident Attorney
Always begin your personal injury claim with a clear understanding of what to expect and how to behave. If you need to consult with your Orlando or Melbourne personal injury attorney about what sort of questions to expect and how best to answer them, this preparation is absolutely reasonable. Many clients that are uncomfortable with public speaking find that they need to practice or prepare statements in order to be clearly understood. A respectable personal injury lawyer in Orlando or Melbourne is accustomed and comfortable in a courtroom, but some clients are unprepared and somewhat intimidated by formal legal situations. Have a plan, so you can continue your claim with confidence and professionalism.
