The relationships between personal injury law firms and their clients pave the way for future business and relationships with potential clients. If not properly managed, firms may experience the negative consequences of an ill reputation. Every attorney-client relationship thrives on trust, transparency, and effective communication, but these things don’t just happen without substantial effort on the part of the personal injury firm. It takes time and resources to keep clients adequately informed about their matters. But the extensive caseload of a personal injury law firm can make this a difficult task.
Fortunately, legal practices have technological tools at their disposal to help with the management of client relationships and get the most out of communications. What follows are a few legal tech tools that help personal injury law firms prioritize client relationships:
External Communication Systems
We live in a highly digitized world and clients appreciate law firm efforts to accommodate their needs and handle their matters in the most convenient way possible. External communication systems encourage prompt feedback throughout the entire communication process. Videoconferencing applications such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet give legal practices attorneys an effective alternative for meeting clients “face-to-face” in a secure way when in-person meetings are unavailable or impractical for the client.
Internal Communication Systems
Internal communication is a must for collaboration to occur within a personal injury firm, so they need a streamlined communication system that helps firm members work together in furtherance of providing quality legal services.
Some examples of internal communication systems include:
- Internal chat forums that can be integrated into existing practice management software systems software
- Project collaboration tools, like Slack and Google Chat, that help firm members plan and implement matter tasks
- Intranet options that enable knowledge and document sharing across the firm
When all firm members are connecting on the same medium, they can collectively serve clients more effectively and efficiently. Successful internal workings translate to successful client relations.
Cloud-Based Document Management Software
This cloud-based storage solution allows firm members to securely access necessary files from any location, eliminating the need for in-person meetings. Whether collaborating with other firm members, reviewing documents with opposing counsel, or gathering signatures from clients, cloud-based document management makes the task easy and convenient to fulfill.
With cloud-based document storage applications, lawyers can securely share necessary documentation with their clients in addition to any staff member that is given access to the system’s log-in credentials. This technology may also include text-based search options designed to help users easily find specific files and documents.
Document management also promotes high confidentiality and trustworthy security between the personal injury firm and its clients by only allowing individuals with the right credentials to access documents stored in the cloud.
Comprehensive Case Management
When you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail. This is a mantra that guides the practice of comprehensive case management solutions. With the right practice management software solution in place, personal injury attorneys, clients, and their firm staff can have consistent access to important documents related to each case at the firm. The provision of legal services is seamless so that clients can receive a high level of representation.
Client Portals
One of the most crucial lines of communication for the client is feedback on the progress of their case. Client portals are special digital spaces that allow clients to receive and view information about their cases and the status of progress being made by members of the firm. Clients no longer need to call for a follow-up on their case, because they can easily access their portal account. When work is completed on a case, firm lawyers simply update the client portal, providing immediate updates to clients in real-time.
Client portals not only boost the level at which clients are kept updated about their personal injury case progress, but also the status of their past and current invoices. With client portals, firm clients are more likely to pay their legal fees in a timely fashion because they feel fully informed.
Electronic Invoicing and Payment Options
Invoicing and payments are necessary to drive revenue and profit within a personal injury law firm. Electronic invoicing enables firms to bill and collect faster than physical invoicing. For one, clients want, and even expect the option of paying their legal bills online, eliminating the need for them to physically come into the law office. They prefer the immediate ability to settle their payments via their debit or credit cards from any location.
These electronic options are also more accurate and leave less room for human error. Accurate and efficient invoicing adds to the value and quality of firm services in the eyes of clients. It is a solution that adds to a firm’s perceived level of service.
Legal Technology is Key to Client Relations within a Personal Injury Law Firm
Personal injury law firms must evolve in order to remain relevant within today’s society and compete in today’s global marketplace. Firm reputations can thrive or tank based on client satisfaction, so tech innovations should be consistent tools for keeping your clients informed and updated throughout every step in the process of personal injury cases.