Making the Most of Your Initial Personal Injury Consultation
Knowledge is Power if You Have an Upcoming Personal Injury Consultation with Dedicated Lawyers in Fairless Hills, Morrisville, Doylestown, Northeast Philadelphia, and Lower Bucks County
When you have had an accident due to someone else’s negligent behavior, leading to injuries or disability, finding a seasoned attorney who is just suitable for your case can be a daunting endeavor. Of course, you want the best legal representation available, but how do you begin? Besides dealing with the pain and stress of your injuries, you want to find someone who can get you the compensation to which you are entitled. You need someone who will prioritize your case and not leave you stranded. To begin, look for a lawyer who specializes in personal injury. They will have more resources, knowledge, and experience for your case. Setting up a consultation with a prospective attorney allows you to share an overview of your accident and ask the lawyer questions about their background and success rate. It gives you a chance to see if they are the right fit. It also gives you an opportunity to get a skilled and knowledgeable legal professional’s opinion on the strength of your case and available avenues to recoup compensation.
Factors Influencing the Length of Your First Personal Injury Consultation
Numerous factors determine the length of your first consultation. As you talk about your accident and how your injuries have hurt your life and work, the lawyer may ask more questions about the specific details of what happened to get a better idea of the situation. You will have a chance to ask the lawyer questions regarding your accident and their professional successes. It will also be a time when you can get to know each other personally. A consultation can last anywhere from 45 minutes to over an hour, depending on how many details are discussed.
Scheduling Your Personal Injury Consultation
A personal injury consultation can be requested by email or telephone or by completing an online contact form on our attorney’s website. Some clients prefer to have their consultation face-to-face. However, consultations can also be done in the office via Zoom, Teams, Skype, or WhatsApp, whatever you and your attorney are most comfortable with. Before your visit, this question should be asked, but most personal injury attorneys don’t charge for the initial consultation. Our Pennsylvania injury law firm certainly does not charge for a consultation and review of your case.
A Client-Centered Approach to Personal Injury Consultations
During a personal injury consultation, the client usually leads the conversation. As you tell the lawyer about your accident and its events, they may ask you some questions to obtain more specific information. Usually, lawyers will wait until you have shared the whole story before asking for additional details. It is essential to be completely honest during the consultation to give your potential attorney a clear picture that will allow them to devise the best route to win your case. This format empowers you to control the conversation and share information at your own pace.
Maximize Your Pennsylvania Personal Injury Consultation with Essential Documents
Thorough preparation is crucial for explaining your case effectively. You should also be prepared to answer the lawyer’s questions about your accident and have questions you would like them to respond to. The more information you supply, the more accurately your potential lawyer can assess your case. Documents include police reports, medical records, healthcare expenses, estimates for damaged property (in cases of car accidents), photographs of injuries and property damage, wage slips, and insurance information. Having these ready will make the consultation more efficient and help you to feel in control.
A Lawyer’s Deep Dive into Your Personal Injury Case
The attorney may have several questions to get a clear picture of your accident and injuries. They will want to know if you have spoken to any insurance adjusters or given them a written statement about the accident and your injury. They will ask you about your current status of injury, your level of mobility, any pain you are experiencing, and whether you are temporarily or permanently disabled. They may ask about hospitalization dates, continued treatment, medications, and your emotional state since the accident. They will be curious about specialized treatment or surgeries you have received, medical equipment such as a cane, walker, or wheelchair you have purchased, or any design changes you have made to your home to accommodate your condition. They will ask you about your job, whether it requires physical activity, and to what extent, and how long you have worked there.
Asking the Right Questions During Your Personal Injury Consultation
Before your consultation, you should make a list of questions you want to ask. Obviously, you will want to know how you will be billed. Most attorneys handle personal injury cases on a contingency basis, which means you don’t pay them if you don’t win. However, some attorneys will charge “case expenses” such as expert witness fees, court reporter fees, filing fees, and any other costs that go into building your case. You should ask how long your attorney has worked in personal injury, their success rate, and whether they would be willing to litigate your case were it necessary. It is important to know who will be handling your case. Sometimes, a paralegal will be assigned to do most of the work, so it is valuable to understand the lawyer you choose will be the one handling it. You may be tempted to ask how long it will take to resolve your case and how much it is worth, but those questions usually can’t be answered right away. Personal injury cases are complex and unique. It is nearly impossible to predict precisely what will happen and how long it will take, but you can ask what they think the next steps will be
Does a Consultation with a Law Firm Automatically Mean You Should Hire Them?
You should retain the personal injury lawyer in whom you have the most confidence and feel most comfortable. Consider the initial consultation as a job interview. You are hiring for the position, and the personal injury lawyer should make it clear why they are the best candidates. Ask as many questions as you like, and if you don’t like the answers you hear, move on. This is your case, and it is up to you to decide who to trust with your financial future.
Get Knowledgeable Legal Counsel Before Retaining a Personal Injury Law Firm in Pennsylvania
Hiring the right attorney can make all the difference. You need someone who is reliable, responsible, determined, and knowledgeable. At Cohen & Riechelson, our personal injury attorneys go the extra mile as we fight for our client’s financial future in Langhorne, Newtown, Croydon, Fairless Hill, Warrington, Levittown, Bensalem, and towns throughout Pennsylvania. If you were injured in an accident, you deserve to be made whole. We can create a case that will demonstrate that under no fault of your own, you have severe injuries and deserve compensation. We will accompany you through the process, whether it is negotiation or litigation. Our dedicated attorneys won’t treat you like just another number. We will work consistently and will keep you abreast of every detail.
If you are looking for a personal injury lawyer to consult on how to obtain damages for injuries due to an accident in Pennsylvania, now is the time to reach out to us for a free consultation. Call us today at (215) 337-4915 or fill out a contact form.