4 Things to Expect with A Personal Injury Lawyer
09.19.2022 | Personal Injury
What to Expect When You Meet with a Personal Injury Lawyer
Most people won’t have experience in working with a personal injury attorney until they need representation. If you have been injured, you may not know what to expect when you meet with a lawyer.
Typically, you will schedule an initial consultation to discuss the specifics of your case and determine the best course of legal action. When you don’t know what to expect, an initial meeting might seem daunting. But in reality, legal consultation is a great opportunity to ask questions, get information, and find the best personal injury attorney for you.
In the following post, we will discuss what you can expect when you meet with a personal injury lawyer. We will examine some of the most common issues and questions that relate to an initial legal consultation.
The Purpose of an Initial Consultation
The purpose of an initial legal consultation is for the attorney to hear all of the facts surrounding your accident. Getting a full understanding of your circumstances will help the lawyer to know if they can proceed with your personal injury case.
This initial meeting is also an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have and to get clarification regarding the legal process. The attorney should help you to know what to expect.
A meeting is also a good way to get to know the attorney better. Even if a particular legal professional looks good on paper, they might not be the perfect fit for your individual needs.
The first meeting can help you to decide whether you want a particular lawyer to be your legal representative.
Questions to Ask
After you schedule the initial meeting, you should spend some time thinking through the questions you want to ask. Writing down your questions or concerns beforehand will ensure that your meeting is as productive as possible.
Some useful questions to ask during a first meeting include:
- How much can I expect from a settlement or verdict?
- How long will it take to pursue this case?
- Is my case likely to go to trial?
- What is my role in this case?
- How will my legal fees be paid?
- What is your track record in cases like mine?
You may also want to ask questions that are specific to your case. Again, the initial meeting is not only a chance for the attorney to learn about your case — it’s also an opportunity to vet the lawyer. You should be thorough and ask questions that will help you to decide whether a particular lawyer is right for you.
What Documents Should You Bring?
It is a good idea to be prepared for your initial consultation. The more efficient the meeting is, the more useful it will be to you.
Bringing evidence or documents that are relevant to your case will make the meeting more efficient. The lawyer will probably want to look at certain pieces of information before agreeing to take your case.
Some useful documents include:
- Records of medical treatments related to your injury
- Accident reports
- Pay stubs
- Police reports
- Statements from witnesses to your accident
- Insurance information
- Detailed notes about your experience with your injury
This type of information can help the attorney to assess the strength of your case. If you are unsure whether a piece of information is relevant, bring it to the meeting. If a particular document is irrelevant, the lawyer will let you know.
Be Prepared to Discuss Your Accident
Because the attorney will be deciding whether to take your case or not, they will probably ask you a wide range of questions. Some of these questions may be uncomfortable or difficult to answer.
It is important to know that the attorney is on your side. Asking difficult questions can help them to understand the likelihood that they can win your case.
Consider preparing answers ahead of time. This can help to make you feel more comfortable and ensure that you do not forget to inform the lawyer about something important.
Be ready to discuss the following issues:
- The specific details of your accident, including the time, place, and circumstances
- The nature and severity of your injuries
- Your past, present, and anticipated future medical treatments
- Specifics of your doctor’s diagnosis
- Insurance coverage details (both car and health insurance)
- Ways that your injuries affect your daily life and emotional wellbeing
The attorney may also ask about any elements of your case that they think are relevant.
Come to your initial meeting prepared to ask and answer many questions. A first consultation is an excellent opportunity to find out whether a particular legal representative is right to work with you.
Let Our Personal Injury Attorney Take It From Here
We are here to handle all of the paperwork and legal details of your personal injury claim so you can focus on recovering from your injury. To arrange a free initial consultation with the chair of our Personal Injury Department, Joshua M. Kimura, please contact our law offices today.
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Our attorneys are here to help you explore legal strategies that resolve today’s business disputes and prevent further disputes from occurring in the future. To learn more about how we can help you achieve your business law goals, call our law offices at 949-474-0940.