If you’ve never met with a personal injury lawyer (or any type of attorney) before, the prospect of that first meeting can be intimidating.
Here we will give you a quick rundown on some important things you’ll need to bring and possible questions they may ask to help diffuse any anxiety you may be feeling.
To learn more about what your first meeting will look like, check out our recent article on preparing for your first meeting with a personal injury lawyer.
Anticipating possible questions
A personal injury attorney is going to ask some questions that may be difficult to answer, but are necessary for building your case. If you prepare answers ahead of time, it can make the process easier.
Be prepared to answer questions regarding:
• Your current state of health and injuries
• Details of your doctor’s prognosis
• How your injuries affect daily tasks
• Your insurance coverage (both medical and auto)
• Details given to other lawyers or insurance companies about your incident or injuries
Gathering all documentation
It’s important to come to the meeting with all of the documentation and paperwork necessary for a personal injury lawyer to understand your complete situation. You’ll need to make sure you bring any and all medical information, copies of official reports, photos taken at the scene, documentation of lost work or wages, and insurance information.
Understanding legal fees
When you see a law firm’s commercial, it’s common to hear something like “you don’t owe us anything unless we win your case!” This method is called working on contingency. It’s common for personal injury lawyers to charge on a contingency basis, but not all do.
During your first meeting, it’s important to discuss how they handle all of the legal fees so you aren’t surprised later on. Ask about individual expenses as well as what percentage they take from your compensation.
Read more on negotiating fees with a personal injury lawyer and prep for your meeting with this handy printable interview checklist.