After reading our blog post about why you should ask for a free consultation on your personal injury case, you’ll learn:
- Why free consultations are so important
- How to best prepare for your free consultation
- What questions you should ask the attorney during the consultation
Your Attorney Can Look Over Any Gathered Evidence
It’s important to note that the free consultation doesn’t just allow you to see if the personal injury attorney is right for you; it also gives the attorneys the ability to determine if you are fit for their skills and experience. That means you should show up to a free consultation fully prepared to speak to the strength of your case, even if you’re uncertain as to what your next steps are. Yes, you want to tell your story, but evidence that supports your detailing of the events is just as if not more important. That means you should bring to the meeting any evidence that you’ve already gathered. If you haven’t attempted to gather any evidence, make sure to take the necessary steps to collect common forms of evidence:- A copy of any police report relating to the incident
- A doctor’s report or any medical records detailing your injuries
- A list of potential witnesses
- Photographs of the scene where the injury occurred
You’ll Be Given a Chance to Ask Questions
Your consultation is the ideal time to get to know your potential attorney. You want to make sure that they’re the right fit for your needs. Part of that is getting to know their working style and how long they’ve been practicing law. If you feel uneasy with the provided answers or find that the attorneys aren’t directly answering your questions, it’s okay to decide to seek legal help elsewhere. That’s exactly what this consultation is for. If you’re struggling to come up with appropriate questions to ask your attorney, here are some common ones that we find our clients asking:- How long have you been practicing law?
- How long have you been taking on personal injury cases?
- Have you ever worked on a personal injury case similar to mine, and what was the outcome?
- Will there be other members of the law firm working on my case?
- How much time will you personally devote to my case?
- Can you provide references from previous clients?
You Can Discuss Potential Fees and Court Costs
One of the most significant reasons people decide not to take their personal injury case to court is they fear that their legal fees will be large if not excessive. That means you should take the time to ask the attorney how their payment system works. If they begin to speak in “legalese,” ask them to explain it in simple, plain language. Before you hire an attorney, you should know exactly how much you will be expected to pay based on certain outcomes in the case and when they expect their payment. There’s no need to feel intimidated asking these questions. They are an important part of the process, and you should feel empowered to know what the potential financial costs will be if there’s a settlement, you win your court case, or if you lose it.Your Attorney Can Ask You Questions, Too
Just as you’re using the consultation to determine if the attorney is a good fit for your needs, they are doing the same to you. That means you should expect them to ask you questions regarding the specifics of your case. These questions are often direct and repeated in a variety of ways. Their goal in asking these questions is to see if you’re being forthcoming, if your answers change depending on how a question is asked, and to see if you may be partially responsible for your injuries. Lawyers want to take on cases they can win, so if they think that your actions may have been the cause of your injuries, they will not take your case.You May Find Your Attorney Isn’t the Right Fit for Your Needs
After presenting your evidence, asking your attorney questions, and answering the attorney’s questions, either one of you may decide that this isn’t a fit. If you feel uneasy, trust your gut. If you feel the attorney has avoided answering your questions or isn’t paying enough attention to the details of your case, it’s okay to seek a consultation with another lawyer or law firm. At the same time, the lawyer may decide that your case isn’t right for them. There can be a variety of factors that go into their decision:- There are legal or ethical concerns, such as expired statute of limitations or conflicts of interest.
- They’ve determined you share responsibility for your injuries.
- They don’t have experience with taking on cases like yours.
- The potential recovery amount is small.
- There’s a clear gap between your expectations of the case and theirs.
Get a Free Consultation with Ganim, Ganim & Ganim PC
Most personal injury cases are complex, and it’s essential to partner with the right attorney or law firm as you move forward with your case. At Ganim, Ganim, & Ganim PC, we bring experience, competence, and confidence to all cases we work on. Our attorneys have years of experience advocating for our clients in and out of the courtroom. We can provide you with step-by-step instructions to ensure evidence is collected quickly and effectively. We’ll work with you to ensure you understand the potential laws in place, and we’ll always fight for your rights so you can receive proper compensation from those responsible for your injury. Schedule a free consultation with us today to see how we can help with your personal injury case. We’ll reach out to you and find a time that works for your schedule, then meet with you to determine what evidence has already been collected and what still needs to be gathered. You’ll get a first-hand look at how we operate and determine if we’re the best fit for your specific personal injury case.Image Source: PhuShutter / Shutterstock
