What Should I Bring to a Lawyer Consultation?

If you are preparing for a personal injury attorney consultation, you need to make sure that you have all the appropriate documentation in order. You will also want to make sure you have a list of questions to ask your lawyer, and be ready to answer any questions they may have for you. Going through a personal injury claims process is challenging enough. Not only are you suffering from an injury, but there are a lot of items to get in order from a legal standpoint.

Knowing what to have with you before going to a personal injury attorney in South Florida can make the process a little less stressful. It can also help you get the most out of your personal injury lawyer's free consultation.

What Documents to Bring

When meeting with a personal injury lawyer for the first time you want to have as much documentation to substantiate your claim as possible. The more paperwork you have showing your costs and detailing the extent of your injuries the better. Having this at your first meeting will help your attorney evaluate your case and possibly provide an estimate on a potential settlement.

Having the following documents well organized and ready to present will help your consultation go smoothly:

• A police report or incident report regarding the accident
• Insurance correspondence regarding the accident
• Medical documentation of care you received following the accident
• All receipts and bills regarding medical care, medication, medical supplies such as crutches, etc.
• Documentation of lost wages and a prediction of future lost wages based on the amount of time you expect to be out of work
• Any property damages that occurred during the accident
• Statements from doctors regarding the extent of your injuries
• Documentation of money spent on childcare or assistance you required because of your injury
• Any communication you have with the other person involved, such as text messages, voicemails, or e-mails
• Your own insurance policy and coverage information
• A list of the person(s) or organization involved in the claim, witnesses, etc. and their contact information
• The opposing party's insurance information, if available

Having these documents available will help your personal injury attorney consultation provide you with a clear picture of what to expect further down the line. Once your lawyer has the chance to review all of the documents and assess your costs, they will be able to best advise you on next steps.

What Questions to Ask

Additionally, when you are going to a personal injury lawyer free consultation you should have a list of questions ready to ask the attorney. Writing these questions down ahead of time can help ensure you do not forget during the consultation and will help you become informed on the process. Asking the right questions will also help you know whether or not you are selecting the attorney who is best suited to fight your case.

Questions to Ask a Personal Injury Attorney

Questions you should always ask during a personal injury consultation include:

• Have you handled cases like mine before? If so, how many, and have you been successful?
• How many years of experience do you have?
• Will you be the attorney handling my case directly?
• What will be our main form of communication and how often should I expect to speak with you?
• How much do you think my claim is worth?
• What are your fees?
• If I do not win my case, are there any legal fees I will have to pay?
• Do you expect that I will receive a settlement or do you expect this case to go to trial?
• If my case does go to trial, have you been successful in front of a jury for a case like mine before?

Most importantly, check the reviews of the lawyer before your personal injury consultation. A friend or family member may refer you but it is always a good idea to do your own research as well.

Check online reviews and reviews on legal websites. Also, make sure that the attorney has never been brought before a committee for disciplinary action. All of this information is public record and you can find it online. Knowing this before you even go to the consultation can help you make an informed decision.

Questions You May Have to Answer

Just as you have a list of questions to ask at your personal injury lawyer's free consultation, the attorney will likely have a list of questions for you as well. This is so they can best get to know your case and provide you with an accurate timeline and a potential settlement amount.

Please know that timelines and calculated settlements are always tentative. Many factors of a case and the judicial system impact the final result, some of which may be out of either your or your attorney's control.

Be prepared with this information to help answer questions from the attorney:

• Specific information regarding the accident and your injuries
• How your injuries are impacting your life
• Why you believe the other party was negligent or reckless
• Witness names and contact information
• Doctors you have seen already and their contact information
• Photographs of property damages, accident scene, and injuries
• Estimates of property damage
• Bills related to current medical care and/or any other out of pocket expenses
• Information related to lost wages
• Information concerning prior accidents and/or prior injuries
• Do you grant them permission to conduct an investigation and contact all necessary parties involved

The more documentation you have and the more individuals you have to speak on your behalf the better. It will help your attorney get a firm grasp on the situation, the severity of your case, and what leverage they will be able to use throughout the settlement process.

They may ask you to go over the accident and your injuries several times. Do not feel annoyed or assume that they are not listening to you. Attorneys do this to see how well your case will hold up in court. If you provide different facts each time, or forget crucial information, it may hurt your case. Again, this is where having as much documentation as possible will help your personal injury claim.

If you are getting ready for a personal injury attorney consultation, prepare as best you can. It can be a stressful time, but the more information you have before you go, the better you will feel once you arrive.