Whenever you sustain injuries in an accident, the first question should be whether you are to blame for it. If not, you can file a claim for the injuries sustained. Nevertheless, filing a lawsuit against the insurer or negligent party is never a small feat. You should be prepared for a real battle because personal injury claims are usually complicated. So, look for a local personal injury lawyer to handle yours. Most attorneys offer free consultations, so meeting one may not be a big issue. But even as you prepare for your initial consultation, you should keep these three things in mind.
Carry Any Relevant Evidence
While you don't know how your initial consultation will turn out, you shouldn't meet the attorney empty-handed. Carry whatever evidence you have and let the lawyer decide if it could help build your case or support your claim. This way, you persuade the legal representative to take your case now that they have something to support it or build on. Get ready to narrate the story to help the lawyer understand how things turned out or how the accident happened. Share with them the photos of your injuries if you took any. Other crucial pieces of evidence you should carry include medical records, hospital bill copies, and police reports; they help the attorney determine whether your case is weak or strong.
The Lawyer Expects Some Questions from You
Although you would want a competent lawyer to handle your case, it's also good to consider whether you can comfortably confide in and get along with them. Everyone feels good working with an attorney they can trust, open up to, rely on, and trust throughout the legal process. Unfortunately, you can't tell if they are a perfect fit by just looking at them. So, you can ask them questions to learn more about their personality, competence, and availability. A set of questions helps trigger a conversation that helps you understand your case. For instance, you can ask them what they think about your case after assessing it and if they can comfortably handle it. You could also ask them about their legal fees, payment methods, and the likely outcome.
Expect Some Questions from the Lawyer
As the lawyer answers your questions, they will also ask you several questions to get everything right. This helps them assess if your testimony is true or if you are somehow to blame. Most people give a comprehensive account of the accident and blame the other party fully, even when they are partly responsible. And since the lawyer wants to be sure whether they should take your case, they can twist questions to see if you will give an elusive answer. Your answers help them determine if your case is weak or strong and devise the best approach for it.
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