Visit any car accident lawyer’s website, and you’ll often see a call-to-action link to book a free consultation or case review. A free consultation or case review allows victims to meet with a lawyer to discuss their potential personal injury case.
In these meetings, they can present the facts of their situation and see whether they can proceed with legal action against other parties involved. As nerve-wracking as it can be to meet with a lawyer, the following preparation tips might ensure you’re ready for your upcoming appointment.
Research Your Lawyer
Don’t be afraid to research your potential new lawyer before booking your free case review with them. Browse through legal directories like Legal Finders to find a suitable match, and type their name into a search engine.
You can visit their website for more information, read Google reviews from past clients, and even find news articles about their successes and failures. Legal websites can also shed light on a lawyer’s experience and education to ensure their suitability for your case. The more you know about your lawyer, the easier it can often be to formulate a list of questions for them.
Get Your Timeline in Order
The lawyer you meet with for your initial consultation wants to know how your accident happened and what came next. Ensure your timeline is in order before your meeting to give them an accurate version of events.
It can often help to write your timeline down with dates and times so they can paint a picture in their own minds of what happened on the day of your accident. Be as thorough as possible and include specific details even if you don’t think they’re relevant. The more information you can provide, the fewer questions your lawyer must ask to form their own timeline.
Bring All Accident Documentation
A free consultation with a law firm might not spell the beginning of a personal injury case, but it can help your lawyer make an informed decision about whether you have enough evidence of wrongdoing to proceed with a claim. Bring the following documentation with you to your meeting, and consider arranging it in a file for straightforward viewing:
- The accident report
- Police investigation notes
- Accident and injury photographs
- Any tickets or citations you received
- Any self-taken notes from the scene or after
- Witness statements and contact details
- Medical records
- Doctor notes
- Insurance information
- Information about the driver or property involved in the accident
Provide Updates to Initial Documentation
A great deal can happen in a short space of time after an accident. You might have a file containing all initial accident information, but don’t forget to update it with the information you receive after the fact.
For example, you might have medical records detailing your injuries. Update this file with medical bills you’ve received for your care and information about specialist appointments you’ve needed due to the accident.
If you’ve had to take time off work for your injuries and medical appointments, create a running log of how much time you’ve taken off and your subsequent financial losses. This information can be helpful for a lawyer to calculate your economic and non-economic losses.
Prepare a List of Questions
Your lawyer will likely have many questions for you to answer, but be prepared to ask some of your own. You can then gain a sense of their opinion about your case and see whether they’re the type of person you’d want to represent you. Some of the best questions to ask include:
- What happens after this initial free case review?
- Do I need a car accident lawyer?
- Do I have a strong enough case?
- What other evidence do I need to find to strengthen my case?
- Should I talk to my insurance company?
- What damages can I pursue?
- How much do your services cost?
- Is there anything I shouldn’t do between now and when my case proceeds?
You can ask as many questions as you like to feel confident and well-informed to proceed with a potential personal injury claim.
Clear Your Schedule
Initial free consultations don’t typically take up much time. However, the appointment time can depend on your case’s complexities and how much information you’ve provided. Consider clearing your schedule to ensure enough time between your appointment and other obligations. You then don’t need to worry about rushing to later commitments. You can also ask your lawyer how long your consultation will be when you meet with them.
Many lawyers offer free initial case reviews or consultations. However, many people don’t know what’s involved. Prepare with these helpful tips above, and you can feel confident as you arrive to share your side of the story.
