How to Prepare to Meet with a Personal Injury Lawyer

Never met with a personal injury attorney before? Neither have most people! We’d like to be able to say that’s because not many have needed one (after all, that would mean fewer injured people in the world), but that’s probably not the case. In fact, many people with personal injury cases never go to see an attorney because it’s unfamiliar and maybe a little daunting.

There’s no reason to feel this way, though. Lawyers are professional problem solvers who can dramatically improve the outcome of your personal injury case. That said, there are a few things you can do to prepare for your meeting that will make it go smoother and help put you at ease.

Do Your Own Homework

Researching a law firm before setting up a meeting is always a good idea. Look at their website and see what kind of cases they normally handle. Attorneys usually specialize in a specific area of practice. If they mostly handle car accident cases, for example, they may not have much experience with medical malpractice.

Also, find out what other people have said about the firm. Perhaps their website has testimonials from former clients, which may give you an idea of how the firm operates. An internet search will probably also turn up some more info. Having a few bad reviews probably doesn’t mean much (though you can certainly ask about it), but hundreds of complaints should be a red flag.

Gather All Your Documentation

Lawyers love documentary evidence, so the more documentation you can put together, the better. For example, if you were injured in a car wreck, bring all the medical records, auto mechanic invoices, police reports, photos, and videos you can muster. Not everything may be relevant, but it’s better to be overinclusive because you might be surprised by what is important.

Be Prepared to Discuss Your Case

During your initial meeting, an attorney will want to get as much information as possible to evaluate your case. This means they will have many questions for you; depending on the nature of your case, some of the questions may be a bit sensitive.

Remember, your lawyer is on your side and must keep your secrets confidential, so be as open and honest as possible. Even if some information may harm your case, your attorney should know about it in advance.

Bring a List of Questions

When meeting with a personal injury lawyer, it is perfectly acceptable to ask questions. In fact, it’s encouraged. Here are a few important questions to ask:

Do you have experience with cases like mine?

• Who would handle my case if I hire you?
• How does your fee agreement work?
• Is my case likely to go to trial?
• Do you have any trial experience?
• How long will it take to resolve my case?
• How much is my case worth?

Remember that some of these questions, like how much your case is worth, don’t have definitive answers. However, an experienced attorney should still be able to give a general idea of what to expect.

Schedule Your First Consultation Today

Talking to an attorney as soon as possible is almost always in your best interest if you've been injured. They can put your mind at ease and help you avoid costly mistakes. Our experienced team of personal injury specialists can evaluate your case, answer your questions, and prepare a plan for moving forward quickly and efficiently. Contact our office today to get the ball rolling.