A personal injury consultation is when you sit down with a lawyer and talk about what happened to you. You tell them about your accident, your injuries, and what life has been like since it happened, and they try to figure out if they can help you.

It is also a time for you to see if you feel okay with them and if you think they can handle the case for you.

During a free consultation, you need to bring your story and your papers and be ready because lawyers are going to ask a lot of questions and they need to know all the details to take on your case.

Why Should I Prepare Before Talking to a Lawyer?

Preparation is important because if you don’t have your details ready, you might forget something, and then it could make your case weaker. Write down everything you remember about the accident.

The time it happened, the place, who was there, what you saw, and what you did right before and after. Bring anything you have that proves the incident happened, like pictures, videos, police reports, and witness names if you know them.

When you write it down, it is easier for your lawyer to understand the story and see where your case is strong and where it might be tricky.

During a free consultation, you will also talk about your injuries and how they affect your life now. Bring all your medical records, hospital bills, prescriptions, and anything the doctors gave you. If you missed work, bring that too and write down how much money and time you lost.

The lawyer needs to see the whole picture. The more thorough you are, the better they can help.

What Questions Should I Ask the Lawyer?

When you go see a lawyer, you’re not just there to tell your story. You’re evaluating them, too. You can ask them questions like how many cases like yours they’ve done, if they won most of them, and what exactly they will do for you.

• Ask who will actually work on your case.
• Will you talk to the lawyer, or someone in their office?
• Make sure someone will answer your questions when you need them.

Money is important too. Ask how much it will cost. Lots of personal injury lawyers only get paid if you win, but ask how much of your money they will take and if there are other costs involved.

You can also ask how long the case might take. While they might not be able to give you an exact date, they should be able to give you a rough timeline. Write down all your questions before you go, so you don’t forget anything when you’re there.

What Documents Should I Bring?

Bring anything you have that proves the accident and what was hurt. That can be medical records, hospital bills, accident or police reports, photos or videos, insurance papers, witnesses’ phone numbers, and work papers showing lost hours or pay.

Even if you don’t have everything, bring what you do have. Lawyers can help get the documents you need later on.

Key Takeaways

• Consultations are there to see if your case makes sense and if the lawyer can actually help you.
• Write down everything you remember about your accident and injuries before you go, even the littlest of details.
• Bring every form of evidence that you have.
• Don’t forget to ask about the lawyer’s experience, their fees, and what will happen step by step, even if it sounds complicated.
• This first meeting is obligation-free. You can decide whether or not to hire the lawyer after you’ve done all your assessments.