If you’ve recently been in a car accident, you might be thinking about engaging the services of a car accident lawyer. Hiring an auto accident attorney begins with an initial consultation. Knowing what to expect during this consultation and how to prepare for it can help you have a more productive meeting and get the legal help you need sooner.
Initial Consultation
Most auto accident attorneys offer free initial consultations with prospective clients. These free consultations allow accident victims to talk to an attorney at no cost to understand whether they may have a viable accident claim and if that particular attorney is the one they want to work with. You can talk to multiple attorneys before settling on the lawyer you want to represent you in your auto accident claim.
Documents You Should Bring
As you prepare for your initial meeting, you should gather documents that the attorney can review to better understand your situation. If you have any of the following records, bring them with you to an initial consultation:
- The police accident report
- Any photos or videos you took from the accident scene
- The names and contact info of any eyewitnesses to the crash
- Any correspondence from insurance companies
- Any repair estimates for your vehicles
- Medical records for any treatment or rehab you obtained after the accident
Don’t worry if you don’t have all of those records. The attorney will know how to obtain those records for your case.
What Questions Should You Expect from the Attorney
During the initial consultation, you should expect the attorney to ask questions to help them evaluate whether you may have a viable legal case and whether they can help you pursue your claims. They might ask you questions like:
- What happened in the accident?
- Did you contact the police?
- Did the other driver say anything after the crash? What did you say to the other driver or police?
- Have you contacted your auto insurance company?
- Have you sought medical attention?
- What diagnoses or prognoses has your doctor given you?
Questions You Should Ask the Attorney
The consultation should be a two-way street, and you should feel free to ask questions like:
- How long have you practiced personal injury law?
- How much of your practice includes personal injury claims?
- Have you handled cases like mine?
- How often do you take cases to trial?
- How often do you recover compensation in car accident claims?
- Do you have any certifications or awards?
- Will you or another attorney handle my case?
- Can I contact you directly during my case? How quickly will you respond to emails or phone calls?
- How often should I expect to hear from you during the case?
- What do you think of the strength of my case?
Fee Structures and Costs
Finally, you can use the initial consultation to understand the attorney’s fee structure. Most auto accident attorneys represent crash victims on a contingency fee arrangement, under which the client pays nothing upfront to hire the attorney. Instead, the attorney earns a legal fee if they recover compensation for their client through a settlement or trial verdict. That fee comes as a percentage of the total financial recovery. Many attorneys also cover case expenses, such as court filing fees, expert witness costs, and deposition expenses. The attorney’s fee structure may entitle them to reimbursement for the case expenses they paid. Be sure you understand how a given attorney structures their fees before you sign a contract with them.
Contact a Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer Today
If you need experienced legal representation after a car accident, turn to Atterbury, Kammer & Haag, S.C. Contact our firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation with our dedicated motor vehicle accident lawyers to discuss how we will pursue the money you deserve for what you’ve suffered.