COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS

Professional & Thorough

Things To Know Before Your Consultation with an Attorney

Whether you’re dealing with the aftermath of a car accident, or you were the victim of a defective drug or medical device, you shouldn’t attempt to handle recovery of compensation on your own. Hiring an experienced attorney allows you to receive the counsel and protection you need. But before you officially hire a personal injury attorney, you’ll first have a consultation. So what can you expect, and what should you know? 

Do Some Preparation and Research 

Before the consultation, make sure that you prepare and research out firm and practice areas. A little bit of time spent researching an attorney and law firm you’re considering can pay big dividends, and your odds of having a satisfactory experience will improve greatly.

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Expect to Give a Detailed Description 

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The majority of our time during a consultation will consist of you giving your account of what happened during your accident, injury, or illness. During or after you give your description, the attorney will ask you detailed questions to obtain more information and to gain a deeper understanding of what happened. The attorney you meet with will also have questions about you and the accident, so be ready to field their inquiries. Lawyers are looking for a variety of information during a free case evaluation. Some things your attorney is likely hoping to learn about your case include where, when and how the accident or injury happened, who was involved, etc. Do not be surprised if the attorney asks a lot of questions, including some questions that may seem personal. These questions are all asked in order to form an accurate picture of your claim. It is best for everybody if your attorney has all the facts. 

Expect to Discuss Evidence 

When you prepare for a consultation, bring with you any evidence you may have. Your attorney will want to review any documents and material you have in your possession. For this reason, it’s important to bring with you any and all documentation that you have regarding the accident or injury. This includes photographs of the accident and injury(s), accident reports, police investigation notes, citations or tickets, witness statements or contact information, doctor’s notes and emergency room notes, and anything else that will benefit your case. Bringing all this information gives your attorney the most complete picture of your case possible so that you can receive the most accurate advice. The more thorough the information the attorney has to assess, the better. 

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Be prepared to Review the Laws and Viability of Your Case

Once the attorney has established basic relevant facts, they will present to you the laws that cover your situation, what they feel are your best legal options, and the strategy they will employ to get you compensation. Obviously, they will not have a detailed plan of action ready during the initial consultation, but they can give you some ideas. This is often an exciting part of the consultation for clients as they feel relief that they’re on the track to compensation. 

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Discuss Legal Fees 

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Toward the end, you’ll discuss legal fees. Most personal injury attorneys take cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning that they will only be paid for their work if they recover compensation for your injuries. This is the best plan for both parties. Talking money with your lawyer is an excellent way to judge how he or she treats clients. No matter which type of fee agreed upon between you and your lawyer, always obtain a copy of the agreement in writing. 

Sign the Documents 

If you feel the attorney you’ve consulted with is the right fit, you’ll then sign the documents and contract. At this point you will sign a contract in which you and the attorney agree to the fees discussed. You will also sign a HIPPA release form so that your attorney can request your medical information and records. You may also give your attorney limited permission to sign documents on your behalf—this is called a limited power of attorney. This way, your attorney can handle the majority of the work for you, without you having to run around or spend hours searching for records and documents.