After you’ve been injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, a great first step is to contact a personal injury lawyer for a free consultation.
But you may still wonder how to go about finding the right lawyer for you. The best way to find the right lawyer is to ask the right questions.
Here are some issues to consider when you meet with an accident lawyer for a free consultation to discuss the facts of your case.
Bring All the Evidence Related to Your Case
When meeting with a personal injury lawyer for a free consultation, bring all the evidence related to your case.
Personal injury cases require you to establish that someone else’s negligence caused your injury and that you suffered damages.
Leaving out any details or evidence prevents a complete analysis of your case. Here’s the type of evidence your accident lawyer will want to see:
- Medical records such as bills, health records, and other documentation related to your accident;
- Pay stubs, W-2s, or additional income verification for calculation of lost wages;
- Names and contact information for witnesses to your accident;
- Photographs of the scene of the accident;
- Any police accident reports;
- An insurance policy that describes your coverage;
- Any communication received related to your accident.
Even if you are still collecting this information, don’t hesitate to schedule your free consultation.
A personal injury attorney does not expect you to know what documents may be needed from the outset, but they will direct you as to what you’ll need to build a strong case on your behalf.
Be Prepared with Questions
When you meet with a personal injury attorney for a free consultation, take the opportunity to ask questions. These questions may be less focused on your case than on their practice.
Here are some to consider:
- What is your experience in personal injury law?
- How do you manage your caseload?
- Have you handled cases similar to mine?
- If I have a concern, can I speak with you directly?
- What is my role in the process of my case?
- What is your success rate?
A lawyer may not answer questions specific to your case at the first meeting because they prefer to wait until they have had an opportunity to review the facts surrounding your particular case.
Additionally, until all information is analyzed, a personal injury lawyer will not be able to provide an estimated value for your case during your free consultation.
Be Prepared to Answer Questions
An attorney may wish to explore how your injury has affected you. This may relate to your relationships, job, and mental health.
Be honest so that the personal injury lawyer can understand how your injury and the accident negatively impacted your life. It’s important not to exclude any information, even if you feel it isn’t crucial to your case.
An accident lawyer in a free consultation tries to get as much information as possible to determine whether they can provide you with assistance on your case.
Discuss Fees and Costs
The majority of personal injury cases operate on a contingency basis. A contingency fee basis means that you don’t pay attorney fees unless you are awarded compensation.
Most personal injury attorneys collect their fees as a percentage of the settlement amount or award from a trial.
It’s important to carefully review the terms of any contingency fee agreement and ask questions.
Contact Us
When you type in the search phrase “personal injury lawyer near me free consultation,” the results may provide you with a list of attorneys to contact.
It may feel overwhelming to know where to start. At The Zimmerman Law Firm, P.C., we understand the stress and anxiety you must be feeling.
Pursuing a lawsuit while recovering from an injury can feel daunting, but we are here to help. Contact The Zimmerman Law Firm today to get a free case review and find out how we can help you.
With over fifty years of combined legal experience, our attorneys provide clients with the compassion they deserve while aggressively fighting for the results they need.