Meeting a personal injury lawyer for the first time can be uncharted territory for most people. But do not worry. The first meeting is usually straightforward and informative. It is not just about your lawyer getting to know you but also about gathering essential information on how best to handle your case.
This article will walk you through the most common questions one can expect the best personal injury lawyers to ask them during the first consultation. Knowing what to expect will make the meeting much less stressful, and you can prepare the answers in advance.
Let’s get going.
Can you tell me about yourself?
The first of many things that a lawyer will want to know about is your personal information. This isn’t just about your name and contact details; it’s also about your background, your job, and how your injury has influenced your life on a daily basis.
More than likely, they will want to know where you live and what you do. Why? The effect of the injury on your life, especially your work, plays a crucial role in the claim.
For example, if the cause of the injury you sustained made you miss work, then your lawyer is going to have to know your employment status and income to calculate lost wages. Be prepared, therefore, to discuss not only how the injury has affected your health but also your ability to support yourself or your family.
How did the accident happen?
Your attorney will then take the time to have a thorough discussion of the incident in great detail. They may ask how the accident or incident happened, exactly how you were injured, and any other facts related to the incident. These may include such things as:
- Where and when did the incident occur?
- What were the conditions in those times?
- Were there other people present, and what did they see?
What this does is get a clear timeline and context of the event. The more precise your answers are, the easier it will be for your lawyer to find out what went wrong and who might be responsible.
You don’t have to worry about remembering every detail; be honest about what you recall. Mention if there were any witnesses or whether the police or emergency services came. The information given may be very important in presenting a good case.
Can you tell me about the injuries you sustained?
One of the most critical portions of your case involves your injuries. Your attorney is going to have questions regarding the types of injuries you incurred as a result of the accident in question. Be prepared to answer questions such as:
- What injuries did you experience, and what was the severity?
- Did you immediately go for treatment, and if so, where?
- Are you continuing to receive medication or doing any physiotherapy exercises?
This not only helps your attorney understand how serious your condition is, but it will also build a history or timeline of medical treatment.
Keep receipts of all medical treatments, doctor visits, and medication. Your attorney will most likely inquire whether you have kept receipts, bills, and any records from medical providers, as these may be used as important evidence.
Did you inform the insurance company about the accident?
One of the most confusing aspects of a personal injury claim involves issues of insurance. Your attorney will want to know whether you have already contacted your health or auto insurance company.
They’re going to want information about the policies you have, whether it’s an auto policy, a home policy, or even a health insurance policy. You will also need to describe any conversations you may have with insurance adjusters, particularly if they have offered you a settlement.
This information should be shared with your attorney as soon as possible. Most insurance companies want to settle quickly and, in many cases, for far less than you may have a right to, so your attorney needs to know what has already transpired in order to protect your rights going forward.
What is the financial impact of the accident?
Accidents seldom stop at just health-related complications. Usually it drops a bomb on the economic stability of your life. Your attorney will, therefore, have a question or two about your job during the initial consultation. The attorney may ask you:
- Have you taken any time off work for the injury?
- Are you back at work in some capacity, or are you still out?
- Are you experiencing financial hardship due to hospital bills or lost wages?
This information gives quite a clear picture of the financial burden due to your injury. Through it, lawyers can usually demand compensation for lost wages or reduced earning capacity if your injury prohibits you from returning to your job at full capacity. You should provide documents that show lost income, including pay stubs, tax records, or statements from your employer.
Have you been involved in any previous accident claims?
It may sound irrelevant, but your lawyer will likely ask if you have ever filed any claim for personal injury in the past or if you have any other litigation issues. This is because he needs to understand if there is something in your background concerning legal issues that could impact the case you currently have.
Even though you have never filed a lawsuit, it is very important to disclose all the past legal issues. The attorney needs to get the complete picture so that there will be no surprises later that will negatively affect your case.
What are your expectations of the claim?
Your attorney will also need to know what you wish to achieve by bringing the lawsuit. Are you seeking damages for medical expenses and wages lost? Are you interested in a settlement out of court, or would you like to go to trial if necessary? These are some considerations that guide the legal strategy.
People file personal injury claims for many different reasons. Some would want a quick settlement so that they can be done with it and get on with their lives.
Final Thoughts
The first consultation you have with a personal injury lawyer is the beginning of your case. Your answers to the questions listed in this article are going to be very important in helping an attorney decide on a course of action. The more honestly you answer them, the easier the entire process will be.
