What is the Importance of Total Honesty With Your Personal Injury Lawyer?

If you were injured in an accident and are filing a claim or lawsuit, it is crucial that you understand the importance of total and complete honesty with your personal injury lawyer. For more information and experienced representation, continue reading and contact a Memphis personal injury lawyer today.

Why Do Clients Withhold Information?

It may seem surprising that clients have to be told to be completely honest with their attorney, but they are likely simply trying to protect themselves. An individual may withhold information or lie if they believe that the facts will hurt their case. For example, suppose an individual injured in a slip and fall was distracted at the time of the accident because they were texting on their phone. The individual may think that the fact they were distracted will hurt their chances of recovering compensation, so they leave it out of their story.

Additionally, someone may not be totally honest to protect themselves from something they perceive as embarrassing. For example, if an individual’s injuries have affected their ability to be sexually active, they can be compensated for that loss of intimacy. However, it may feel embarrassing to admit to a lawyer.

What is the Importance of Total Honesty With Your Personal Injury Lawyer?

It is important to remember that even if you are the victim of an accident, you are obligated to be truthful in your pursuit of justice and compensation. Below are some reasons why honesty is the best policy when it comes to a personal injury case.

1. Surprises can hurt your case. Information always has a way of coming to light, even with your best efforts. If you hide facts about prior injuries, criminal history, details of the accident, etc., the defense will likely discover them during their investigation. If you and your attorney are caught by surprise, it can damage your credibility and weaken your case.
2. Your attorney cannot prepare for or protect you from what they do not know. Lawyers build cases based on the information they have, so if you leave out information, they may create their argument based on inaccurate information or unknowingly build a weak case.
3. Honestly will result in more accurate compensation calculations. In order to determine what your case is worth, you need to provide a clear picture of your injuries and the way that they have affected your life. If you downplay your injuries, it can result in an unsatisfactory compensation package. On the flip side, if you overexaggerate how you have been affected, it could expose inconsistencies in your story and harm your chances of being compensated.
4. Lies can put your entire case at risk. When you are caught lying, it can destroy your credibility in the court’s eyes. This can harm your claim, get your case dismissed, leave you unable to recover compensation, or even result in legal penalties like those associated with fraud.

Although you may believe that you are helping your case by omitting information or telling little white lies, it will likely come back to haunt you. Total and complete honesty is always the best choice when it comes to the law.

To learn more and secure skilled representation, reach out to an experienced attorney at Ballin, Ballin & Fishman, P.C. today.