If you recently experienced a personal injury, your world must feel like it’s spinning out of control. In these instances, it’s in your best interest to speak with a personal injury lawyer. We’ve outlined what you can expect from your first consultation with a lawyer. This way, you can come prepared.
Talk to your attorney about the accident
Of course, the first thing that will be discussed during a consultation is the accident in detail, from start to finish. If the accident happened over a period of time as opposed to a single incident, do your best to start from the beginning and tell the story from that point on. Make sure to not leave any important details out, such as any symptoms you might be currently experiencing. Leaving out details can only hurt your case.
Provide any evidence you may have
Personal injury cases are the cases that rely on evidence the most. You have to prove that someone else is at fault for your injuries and that you sustained damages as a result of the injury. Some documents or pieces of evidence you can bring include:
- Medical records (including prescriptions for medication, treatment plans, bills, discharge instructions)
- Photographs of the accident scene
- The police report if available
- Names and contact information of witnesses
- Income verification to calculate lost waged
- A copy of your insurance policy
- Any communication you have already had with an insurance company
Be prepared for questions
One of the hardest things to face is that some people exaggerate their injuries and go to a personal injury to make easy money out of the case. As a result, a lawyer will ask you certain questions to make sure your injuries are just as serious and debilitating. This is nothing to take personally, it is simply a measure lawyers take to keep the case professional and on track.
Be prepared to ask your own questions, as well
You should always come to a professional with questions. A consultation with a personal injury lawyer is a two-way street. They ask you questions and you have the complete freedom to ask them questions as well. Some questions you should ask include:
- How long have you been representing personal injury plaintiffs?
- How have you handled cases similar to mine?
- Who, in your law firm, will be taking my case?
- How long do you think the case will take to resolve?
- Will I be able to speak to my lawyer directly if I have any concerns?
Ask about costs and fees
A consultation is the perfect time to ask about costs and fees. Most lawyers will disclose this information before you even have to ask, but if you are wondering if you have found the right lawyer before proceeding with the case, you should ask as soon as you have the chance. Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning the costs will depend on the outcome of the case. Most times, a contingency fee is approximately one-third of the recovery of the case should you reach a settlement after all.
Talk to other attorneys, do your research
Consulting with a lawyer does not imply any concrete decisions. This means you can still go ahead and speak with other lawyers to assess your options. While you can take this time to speak with other lawyers, you should be doing this as soon as possible and schedule consultations right away. Once you have chosen a lawyer to represent you, you can focus on tending to your injuries and they will take care of the rest of the case for you.
Starting the investigation
Once you and your lawyer get started on the case, they will conduct their own investigation aside from the investigation done by the insurance company. Lawyers do so because they may find pieces of evidence that could prove themselves helpful. A claim involving a question of liability, meaning there is a question of who is at fault, will follow a secondary investigation regarding how the incident occurred. The question may lie within the nature of the said injury, therefore a lawyer may have to evaluate medical records and consult with medical professionals to validate the claim.
Schedule a Consultation Today with Javier Martinez, Jr., P.C.
When dealing with a personal injury, you don’t have time to waste. Get started on receiving compensation for your injuries right away by calling the Law Office of Javier Martinez, Jr., P.C. to schedule a consultation right away!
