If you have been injured due to someone else’s neglect, consulting with a personal injury lawyer is one of the most critical steps in obtaining compensation. However, the first encounter with your lawyer may be pretty scary. Therefore, it is best to know what to expect and feel more ready and confident. Here is the general outline of what goes into this meeting.
1. Talking Through The Case
Your first meeting will primarily be to establish the lawyer’s ability to take up your case. You will be asked to describe the incident, when it happened, time, location, and how it happened. Questions you should be prepared to answer would include:
- How serious were your injuries?
- Have you received medical treatment?
- Were there any witnesses to the incident?
- If a report was made to the police?
- Have you talked with the insurance companies about the accident?
The lawyer gets to know the prior information to gauge the strength of your case before taking you on to pursue your compensation.
2. Review Documents And Evidence
A personal injury attorney in Chatsworth will ask you for any papers or evidence necessary to formulate a good case. Include among others:
- Medical records and bills relating to the injuries
- Police or accident reports
- Photos or videos of the accident scene
- Insurance policies and correspondence with insurers
- With effective pay stubs or any form of financial records documenting lost wages due to the injury
The more information you have on your case, the stronger it will be for the lawyer to assess the potential value of your claim.
3. An Explanation of Legal Process
Your personal injury claim will involve a lot, and hence, to prepare you for what will happen next, your lawyer will explain the legal course applicable, which will include:
- Your rights as an injured person
- The steps of filing a claim or lawsuit
- Difficulties and issues likely to be met in the process
- The expected length involved in the process
- The extent to which a settlement may be reached rather than going through trial
All these will help us understand how to set realistic expectations regarding the timelines and possible consequences.
4. Discussion of Fees and Payment Structure
Most personal injury attorneys charge their fee on a contingency basis, meaning they collect payment only if a judge or jury rules in their client’s favor. In the first arrangement, your lawyer speaks about:
- His share of the settlement would usually be between 25-40 percent.
- Other expenses (court fees or expert witness fees, etc.)
- What will happen if the case goes bad
It is necessary to fully understand the arrangement with regard to fees before proceeding in collaboration.
5. There is also Indisputably an Opportunity To Ask Questions.
And this initial consultation is also a time to ask questions and feel comfortable with that lawyer. Some of the good questions to ask at that meeting include:
- How many such cases have you handled?
- How successful are you in personal injury cases?
- How long will my case take?
- Will I deal with you, or will someone at your firm handle my case?
- What should I do or avoid doing while my case is pending?
An excellent attorney is open, communicative, and willing to discuss your needs.
6. Next Steps
Once you decide to proceed, this could involve:
- Signing a representation agreement
- Investigating the matter further
- Insurers will be contacted on your behalf.
- Acquiring supplementary evidence to avoid weak claims
The attorney would also advise you on what to do, such as continuing medical treatment and keeping records of any expenses related to your injury.
Conclusion
The first meeting with a personal injury attorney at LA Law Group is an excellent step towards getting justice and compensation for your injuries. You can always be prepared to find the best legal representative for your case by providing the necessary and required information and asking the appropriate questions. A skilled attorney will guide you through the process and explain your rights so you can focus on your recovery while they handle the legal mind tricks.
If you’re costing a pawn in one of his incidents with you and need an attorney to fight it out for you, don’t miss out on a free consultation by scheduling an appointment with a reputed personal injury lawyer today.
