Think of free consultations as an opportunity to take advantage of the lawyer’s experience and knowledge. Free consultations are designed to discuss the client’s needs, while getting to know the lawyer, the legalities of the case, and the lawyer’s experienced opinion, without the stress of paying for the information. It is important to understand what a free consultation entails and what you should bring.
Statute of Limitations
Is the client’s case within the statute of limitations; the legal timeframe to act? Some people will pursue their legal actions right after an accident has occurred. However, others may be reluctant to take legal actions, until they are overwhelmed by mounting medical expenses or only later realize the extent of their injuries. The most important thing you can do is contact a lawyer as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the harder it will be for your lawyer to gather evidence and protect your rights.
Getting to Know Your Lawyer
Online reviews and testimonials will paint a picture of what to expect from a law firm, but don’t always give you a clear idea of the service you will get. Occasionally, a firm will boast about their size or have great reviews but can’t provide the one-on-one attention that your case will need. Use the meeting as an opportunity to meet the person or firm that will be representing you and your case. A good way to get an idea of a lawyer’s qualifications is simply by asking them questions.
- Is injury law the main focus of your practice?
- How long have you been practicing?
- Do you have a lot of experience with insurance companies and facing their lawyers?
- How many cases have you won?’
- Will you be handling my case personally?
Take the time to make your own assessments about the attorney. Are they trustworthy? Are they genuine? Are they confident? Will they give your case the attention it deserves? Selecting the right attorney can be crucial to the success of your case.
Being Prepared
The more information you can provide, the better the attorney can evaluate the case and the possible compensation. Some of the items you can bring with you include:
- Photos of the accident and/or injuries
- Accident reports
- Witness statements and/or contact information
- Police notes
- Doctor’s notes
- X-ray and/or MRI results
- The other involved party’s information
- Notes about the incident
The goal is to be as detailed as possible with your attorney so they can accurately understand the case.
When making notes about your incident, there are two key pieces of information to include. What happened during the accident? And what kind of injury was sustained? Other facts to note that can aid in the case include:
- Time and place
- Weather conditions
- What was said
- What happened before, during, and after
Again, be as detailed as possible, so the attorney can add it to a claim and make sure you are compensated properly.
Just as you have to assess the lawyer, the lawyer has to assess you and your case. They have to make sure that you are consistent and truthful in what you’re claiming. They may ask you more detailed questions to get as much information as possible and to help prepare for future situations.
Have Questions Prepared
Have questions involving your case prepared for your attorney, since this is one of the primary reasons for the consultation. Ask about how your medical treatments will be paid for; if they would plan to prepare for trial or a settlement; the strengths and weaknesses of your case; and anything else that relates to your case.
Viability and Laws of Your Case
Once the lawyer has gathered all the facts and information, they will be able to inform you of your legal options. There is a chance that the case may not need a lawsuit, or that the case will not succeed; it is determined by the information surrounding the accident. It can be better not to waste the time, money, and energy pursuing a case that won’t succeed or get you properly compensated.
During this process, it is possible that the attorney will refer you to another attorney if another attorney is more experienced or qualified to take on your case, or there is a class action lawsuit that covers your case.
After all of the details are settled, the attorney can present you with the laws that cover your case and start to prepare a strategy or general plan of action. It will only be a brief introduction to what will occur with your case, but the attorney should be able to provide you with enough information to make a confident decision on how to proceed
Fees and Documents
After discussing the details of the case, and hearing the attorney’s plan of action, if you are satisfied, the attorney will discuss fees and legal documentation. Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means that they will only be paid if they recover compensation for your injuries. There are two reasons this is beneficial. It allows injured victims, who cannot afford an attorney, to have access to the best representation available, and it gives the attorney incentive to work toward the best possible outcome of a case.
The legal documentation involves signing a contract that agrees to the discussed fees and giving them limited permission to sign documents on your behalf. The attorney will have you fill out a HIPPA release form so they can gain access to medical information and records. This is to help the client because the attorney will have to request medical files often for the case. It allows the attorney to do the leg work while the injured party recovers.
What happens after
After all of the information has been disclosed and the documents have been signed, the attorney will start working on your case. They will contact the insurance company and begin negotiations. If the insurance company is unwilling to negotiate, the next steps are to prepare for trial.
If you are hit by a car, injured due to negligence, or injured at work, contact The Pottenger Law Firm for a free consultation. With us, you can depend on honest, prompt answers to your questions, professional expertise, and dedication to your needs. Call us at 816-531-6006 or send us a message.
