What Might Happen During My First Meeting with a Personal Injury Attorney?
Preparing to meet with an attorney can feel like an intimidating prospect—especially if this is the first time you’ve had to seek legal counsel. However, this free case review can often be a turning point for clients after an accident, arming them with the answers they need to make informed decisions about their cases.
While your initial consultation is primarily an opportunity for a lawyer to assess your claim and determine whether you have grounds to pursue damages, there are many other ways you can benefit from this meeting, too. Not only will you get a better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of your claim, but most attorneys will usually give insight into what might happen in the weeks ahead.
In this article, we look at what you can expect during your first meeting with a personal injury lawyer:
1. You Will Answer Questions about the Accident
In a bid to understand what happened to you and the challenges you’re currently facing, it’s likely the attorney will ask a series of questions about the accident that led to your injuries. Examples of such queries can include:
- How did the accident happen?
- When did the accident take place?
- What kinds of injuries did you suffer?
- Were you taken to the hospital, or did you visit the doctor?
- Have your injuries prevented you from working?
- What types of costs have you incurred as a direct result of the accident?
- What evidence were you able to gather at the accident scene?
- Did anyone see the accident happen?
2. You Will Find Out Which Laws Might Play a Role in Your Claim
Many different laws could affect how your case unfolds, limit the amount of compensation you can recover, and determine who is liable for the expenses you incurred. An attorney can not only help identify which laws and statutes could be relevant to your case but will likely also share some of the tactics they might use to help you pursue damages.
3. You Will Share Evidence with Your Attorney
If you were able to gather evidence immediately after the accident, you should bring it along to share with your attorney during the initial consultation. Such proof might include photographs of the accident scene, eyewitness statements, surveillance camera recordings, and official accident reports. These items can help your attorney piece together what happened and may help guide their investigation into the incident.
4. You Will Find Out About Common Mistakes to Avoid
From posting about the accident on social media to deviating from your treatment plan, there are several different mistakes you should steer clear of until your case has been resolved. An attorney can help advise you on how best to protect your claim. For instance, they might suggest that you deactivate your social media accounts to prevent opposing parties from accessing your feeds.
Discuss Your Case with a Miami Personal Injury Attorney Today
Whether you were injured in a car wreck, slipped and fell on someone else’s property, or were left seriously hurt because of a doctor’s negligence, reaching out to an attorney could be a wise decision. At Viñas & DeLuca, PLLC, our attorneys can meet with you as part of a free consultation wherein we can evaluate your case, answer your questions, and give you clarity for the weeks ahead. Reach out to us at 305-372-3650 or fill out our Contact Form to set up a meeting with a Miami personal injury attorney.