What is attorney-client privilege in a personal injury case?

Attorney-client privilege is the fundamental legal protection that makes all communications between you and your attorney confidential. Anything you tell your attorney — including unflattering facts, prior accidents, or pre-existing conditions — is protected from disclosure to opposing parties. This privilege exists to allow you to be completely candid with your lawyer, which is essential for effective representation. The privilege belongs to you as the client, not to the attorney. Only you can waive it. It applies to private communications made for the purpose of obtaining legal advice and extends to the attorney's staff (paralegals, legal assistants) acting under the attorney's supervision. It does not apply to communications made in front of third parties, communications used to facilitate a crime, or documents that existed before you shared them with your attorney. Be fully candid with your attorney about everything relevant to your case — they cannot effectively represent you without complete information, and what you tell them stays protected.