How to Prepare for Your Free Consultation With a Car Accident Lawyer
When you or a loved one are involved in an accident that was not your fault, it can cause a lot of added stress in your life. It’s very common for accident victims to feel overwhelmed trying to get to and from doctor’s appointments, working, taking care of themselves, and much more.
In the aftermath of an accident, making time to see a personal injury attorney who specializes in auto accidents can sometimes feel like just another burden you have to deal with. But if you want to protect your legal rights and get fair compensation for your injuries, it’s a crucial step you need to take. Better yet, many law firms offer free consultations to potential clients.
To get the most out of your initial consultation with your experienced injury attorney, find solid answers to your legal questions, and start the attorney-client relationship off on the right foot, you should take some time to prepare beforehand.
I met with Harry Brown personally and he sat with me for 20 minutes at our initial consultation to explain everything. He even called after my surgery to see how I was doing. I met with him several more times after that and was kept informed about my case throughout. I highly recommend Harry Brown as an attorney.
Key Takeaways
- Importance of Consultation with a Personal Injury Attorney: If you’ve been in a car accident, it’s best to talk to a personal injury lawyer for legal protection and fair compensation. Many law firms offer free consultations to discuss your case and explore your legal options.
- Preparation for Initial Legal Consultation: To have a productive first meeting with a lawyer, bring all relevant info and documents – accident details, police report, proof of injury, and medical bills. Ask about their experience and approach and how they’d handle your situation. If you’re missing info, schedule the meeting ASAP to gather additional evidence.
- “Free” Consultation and Contingency Fee Arrangement: Free legal consultations mean no hidden charges or commitments. There are no financial consequences if you don’t pursue the case after the consultation. If you hire a personal injury attorney, they typically work on contingency fees, which means you only pay if they win your case. The attorney usually covers the initial legal costs.
What is Included in a Free Consultation With a Car Accident Lawyer?
The initial consultation with a personal injury lawyer is an opportunity for you and your attorney to get to know one another, discuss the merits of your case, evaluate your legal options, and determine the best next steps to take. The initial consultation typically lasts about 30-60 minutes, depending on the complexity of the case and how much information you provide.
At this meeting, the attorney will be carefully listening to what you have to say and reviewing any documents you bring along. The more detailed and accurate you can be about your circumstances, the better the advice the attorney can give you regarding your particular legal issue.
For example, bringing along a list of medical treatments and your medical costs can help your lawyer determine what your personal injury claim might be worth. Ultimately, if the attorney believes you have a strong case, he or she may offer to take you as a client.
The legal consultation is also an opportunity for you to determine whether or not the lawyer you’re meeting with is a good fit for you and your family. It’s a two-way conversation, and establishing trust between both sides is extremely important if you want the best chance at a successful recovery.
If, at the end of the consultation, the attorney agrees to take your case (and you agree to their legal representation), there will be some additional documents for you to sign, including a contingency fee agreement, medical release, and notices informing you of your legal rights.
However, whether we take your case or not, you can still expect any attorney you speak with at The Brown Firm to use that initial meeting to fully explain the legal implications of your situation, answer whatever legal questions you may have, give you their honest opinion about whether you have a case, and help you make an informed decision about what to do next.
What to Bring to Your Legal Consultation
Before we continue, it’s important to understand that the list below is not a “minimum requirement” for your free case evaluation. You may not have access to the police report just yet, for example. Or maybe you didn’t take photos at the accident scene.
We understand, and we’re not going to turn you away if you don’t have everything discussed below right now.
Don’t delay scheduling your appointment because you don’t have every last record, bill, and document. If you and your personal injury lawyer decide to work together, they will do more evidence gathering.
With that said, let’s look at what’s helpful for your initial consultation.
Details of the Accident
As soon as possible after the accident, write down all the details you can remember while they are fresh in your mind, and bring that list with you to your legal consultation.
Key details include:
- The date, time, and location of the accident
- Weather and roadway conditions
- How the accident happened
- Photos or video you took of the accident, property damage, or your injuries
- Witness names and contact information
It’s okay if you don’t remember every detail or if some of the details are fuzzy, but it is good to write down everything that you can.
The Police Report
The police report could be crucial during settlement negotiations. It will contain important details of the accident, such as witnesses and maybe the responding officer’s opinion about who was at fault.
You might need a copy of the claim number needed to obtain the police report after the accident. However, your attorney may also be able to obtain the report if, for some reason, you’re having trouble getting your hands on it.
Proof of Injury
Before you meet with an attorney, you should have already been seen by a medical professional. The sooner you receive diagnosis and treatment for your injuries, the easier it will be for your attorney to obtain full compensation for your losses.
At the very least you should be able to tell your attorney:
- The name of the hospital or medical professional you saw
- Your initial diagnosis, type of injuries sustained, and treatments received
- Any tests or images taken
- How long your doctor expects you to need treatment
- Whether you were injured prior to the accident
Medical Bills
When demanding compensation from an insurance company, you are allowed to claim medical bills for any treatment that you’ve received, as well as future expected medical expenses based on your expected recovery.
Bringing medical records, bills, and related receipts with you to the consultation can help your lawyer provide a more accurate initial estimate of how much compensation you might be entitled to.
A List of Questions for Your Attorney
Free legal consultations are your time to ask attorneys for legal advice on any questions regarding your case and the process of obtaining a settlement.
Examples of questions you may want to ask include:
- Have you handled similar personal injury lawsuits in the past?
- How will we communicate throughout the legal process?
- Will you handle negotiations with the insurance company?
Of course, there are many more questions you might have, and your personal injury attorney consultation is the time to ask anything and everything that is on your mind. Get the clarity you need to feel comfortable that your case will be handled properly.
What Does “Free” Really Mean in a Free Consultation?
In the context of a free legal consultation, “free” truly means free. There are no hidden fees and no obligations. If, at the end of the consultation, either you or your personal injury lawyer decide not to pursue a further attorney-client relationship, you can walk away with a clear conscience.
During a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer, you can expect to discuss the details of your case, such as how the injury occurred, the extent of your injuries, and any potential legal claims you may have. Additionally, the free consultation serves as an opportunity for you to ask questions and express any concerns you may have. You can discuss the lawyer’s experience, their approach to personal injury cases, and how they would handle your specific situation.
RELATED POST: How To Get The Most Out Of Your Personal Injury Consultation
What if I Decide to Hire the Attorney After the Free Consultation? How Much Will I Owe?
Like the vast majority of personal injury law firms, The Brown Firm works on a contingency fee basis. What does that mean? In short, with a contingency fee arrangement, you don’t pay a thing until we recover a settlement or jury award for you.
Rather than paying hourly fees or a flat fee, you’ll pay your attorney an agreed-upon percentage of your eventual settlement or verdict. At The Brown Firm, we will also cover the up-front legal fees associated with your case (such as filing costs, hiring expert witnesses, etc.) on your behalf.
Working on contingency helps ensure that the financial incentives for the client and the attorney are always 100% aligned.
Ready to Talk to a Lawyer Who Has Your Back?
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Car Accident Attorney at The Brown Firm Today
Attorneys with experience in personal injury accidents can be invaluable to your personal injury lawsuit.
At The Brown Firm, we believe that scheduling and navigating your first meeting with a personal injury attorney shouldn’t be an intimidating process.
We know you’re going through an extremely difficult period in your life. Finding the right attorney should be stress-relieving, not stress-inducing. We work hard to make the consultation process as easy and comfortable as possible for you.
You can schedule a consultation today by calling our law firm at (800) 529-1441. Or, complete our convenient and simple online contact form, and a member of our team will follow up with you to schedule within 24 hours.
The content provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.
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Schedule your free consultation by calling (800) 529-1441 or completing our simple online form.