If you become injured in a car accident, slip, and fall accident, or in any other type of accident that was not your fault, you may be wondering whether you have a legal claim to compensation. You may not know what the future holds or how you will pay for all of your medical bills. Rather than navigate the complicated process of pursuing a personal injury lawsuit on your own, you will benefit from working with a trained legal professional.
Requesting an initial consultation to have your case evaluated by an attorney will not cost you anything. If the attorney thinks your case has merit and agrees to pursue the case on your behalf, you will not have to pay a dime unless or until the case is resolved. The following are tips for preparing for your first personal injury attorney meeting to discuss your case.
What Happens at the Initial Consultation?
The first time you meet with a personal injury attorney, a few things will happen. You will give the attorney an overview of what happened before and after the accident that caused your injuries. The attorney will listen to what happened and ask you questions about the incident. They may ask you if you received correspondence from the defendant’s insurance company. They may ask you if you have already filed an insurance claim.
After evaluating your case, the attorney will give you a better idea of whether you have a valid legal claim worth pursuing and how much your claim may be worth. They can also help you understand what to expect from seeking compensation.
Gather Important Information to Take With You
For your Alabama personal injury attorney to assess your case accurately, you will need to bring some important information about your case with you. Your attorney will review this information to get a better idea of the strength of your potential case. They can also use this information to give you an estimate of what your case is worth. Some of the information you should bring to your initial consultation includes the following:
- Letters, emails, or correspondence from the defendant or the defendant’s attorney
- Copies of any emails or letters you received from the insurance company or companies
- A copy of the police report if you are involved in a car, bicycle, or another type of traffic accident
- If you are interested in a slip and fall accident, you will need to bring a copy of the incident report
- Medical records showing the severity of your injuries
- Explanation of Benefits forms and receipts for any out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident
- Videos or pictures you have taken of the accident
- Any other information that could be important in helping your attorney evaluate your case
All this information will help your return evaluate your case in the best way possible. Once they review your information, listen to your version of events, and ask you some critical questions, they will be able to give you an idea of what your case is worth.
Write Down the Questions You Would Like to Ask the Attorney
Meeting with an attorney can be a somewhat stressful or intimidating event, especially for those who have not worked with an attorney before. Taking some time to write down the questions you would like to ask your attorney can help you remember to ask them. Some of the questions you may want to ask your personal injury attorney include the following:
- What are the strengths and weaknesses of my case?
- What is the likely outcome of my case?
- What is the contingency fee structure your law firm uses?
- Who else will be working on my case?
- How frequently will the attorney be available to communicate?
- How long will it take for the case to be resolved?
- Will the attorney be available to contact or meet outside of working hours?
- Will the attorney use Zoom or any other video conferencing method?
Schedule Your First Meeting With an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney in Alabama
If you or your loved one has been seriously injured in an accident in Alabama, it is a good idea to call an experienced personal injury attorney sooner rather than later. Contact Heninger Garrison Davis to discuss your case with one of our skilled personal injury attorneys. We will carefully review your case and answer your questions to have a better understanding of your legal rights.
