What to Ask During Your Personal Injury Free Consultation

If you sustained a serious injury in a motor vehicle accident, hiring a personal injury lawyer to represent you is a big step. Even if you are on the fence, you can still find out if a lawyer can help you through a free consultation. The purpose of a personal injury free consultation is to give you an opportunity to learn more about the law firm, the attorney who will represent you, and your specific case. You can ask any questions you have and get honest answers. You can also decide whether you want to hire a law firm or not. There is no obligation or pressure to do so. 

A free consultation can be very beneficial for you, but you need to know what to expect and how to prepare for it. Here are seven things to do during a free consultation with personal injury lawyers:

1. Give a Detailed Account of Your Accident

Your personal injury lawyer will first want to get to know you and your situation better. They will ask you some questions about yourself, your background, your health, your work, and your lifestyle. They will also ask you about the details of your personal injury accident, such as:

• When and where did it happen?
• How did it happen?
• Who was involved?
• What injuries did you suffer?
• How did your injuries affect your life?
• What treatment did you receive?
• How much did it cost?
• Did you miss any work or lose any income?
• Did you file a claim or contact the insurance company?

Everything you discuss with a lawyer in a free consultation is kept confidential under attorney-client privilege. 

2. Ask About Deadlines

Anyone who wishes to file a personal injury claim in California must adhere to the statute of limitations. In California, you must file a lawsuit within two (2) years of the date of the incident. If your accident involved a government agency, you only have six months to file. These deadlines are strictly enforced, so if your accident exceeds the time frame, your case will most likely be dismissed. 

Aside from deadlines, it’s best to contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible because evidence may disappear, witnesses may not recall the incident, and other reasons. If your case falls within the appropriate time frame, a lawyer can move forward with your case. 

3. Ask About Their Experience

Before your free consultation, you will likely have searched the law firm on Google, Justia, Avvo, FindLaw, and the California State Bar Association. Take the consultation as a time to learn more about the firm you will potentially hire. 

Naturally, you will be curious about their experience, particularly if they have experience representing personal injury cases similar to yours. This is the time to ask questions like “How long have you been practicing personal injury law?” Get to know your lawyer!  

Good communication is key to a successful personal injury case, so make sure you feel comfortable having a conversation with your lawyer. Ask about their past successes and what challenges, if any, unique to your case. A good lawyer will always be open and honest with you, so don’t be shy! 

4. Come Prepared With Questions

After you’ve discussed the attorney’s experience and qualifications, you should be prepared to ask several questions pertaining to your case, such as:

• How long will it take to resolve a case similar to mine?
• Will my case go to trial?
• What is my case worth?
• Who will handle my case?
• How will you keep me updated on the progress of my case?
• What is expected from me?

A consultation may be free, but your time and the attorney’s time is limited. It’s important to come fully prepared so you get the most out of your first call or visit. 

5. Bring Evidence 

To evaluate your case and determine its strengths and weaknesses, your personal injury lawyer will need some information and evidence about your accident and your injuries. Therefore, you should bring all relevant documents that you have, such as: 

• Police report (official accident report)
• Medical records
• Pay stubs, W-2, or other income documentation 
• Photos of the accident scene and your injury(s)
• Names and contact information of any witnesses
• Insurance information
• Any correspondence with the insurance company or the other party

These documents will provide the attorney with a clear picture of what happened, who was at fault, how severe your injuries are, and how much compensation you may be entitled to. The more evidence you have, the better. 

6. Discuss Personal Injury Attorney Fees 

Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis instead of a fixed hourly fee. A contingency fee is a form of payment to a lawyer for their legal services, where the lawyer receives a certain percentage of the money that their client receives when they win or settle the case. The lawyer only receives compensation if they have successfully represented the client. Therefore, if no recovery is obtained, no fees are payable. However, you should ask if you are responsible for any out-of-pocket costs in the event that your personal injury case is unsuccessful.

Typically, the personal injury attorney fee is between 25% to 40%. It’s always best to read over the contingency fee arrangement carefully and ask questions if you need clarification. 

7. Find Out Your Next Steps

If you are happy with the free consultation and you want to hire the lawyer to represent you, you will be presented with a contract to sign. After filling out the necessary paperwork, your personal injury attorney will discuss the next steps. Your attorney and the legal team will begin investigating your case and notifying the insurance company that they are representing you. 

When you work with our top-rated firm, you will be set up with chiropractor and other medical treatment to address your injuries. You will also receive assistance with vehicle damage. During the entire legal process, we will update you on the progress. We pride ourselves on our open line of communication, friendliness, and attention to detail. 

Premier Personal Injury Lawyer in Orange County, CA

Auto accidents happen on a daily basis in Southern California. A serious accident has the potential to cause major financial harm, yet we believe victims should not have to suffer this burden alone. With Daniel Kim, you will have a dedicated personal injury lawyer to guide you every step of the way. Our personal injury attorneys help accident victims who were wronged on the road, and we do not stop fighting until we obtain fair and full compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more. 

Our robust legal team is available 24/7 to walk you through your legal options, from the initial consultation all the way until you receive your settlement. If you are ready to set up a free consultation regarding your personal injury claim, contact us at (800) 719-9779 or fill out our contact form today.