If you've been injured by another driver, you may need some professional legal help. Dealing with the insurance company while also trying to recover from your injuries is a challenge, and you should understand that they have no interest in trying to do the right thing and compensate you fairly. To get what you need, such as payment for lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering and more, you will need to consider filing suit against the at-fault driver. Read on to learn more about what to expect when you first meet your personal injury attorney.
The Consultation
Your initial meeting with your new attorney is often referred to as a consultation. Be prepared to speak about your accident and the medical treatments you've had, so far. Often, you will be questioned about several aspects of the accident, and some of the questions will be very detailed and personal. You must understand that your attorney, if they decide to represent you, needs to know everything about the accident in order to decide whether or not you have a good case. Be honest and accurate with your answers and allow the attorney to take the lead. Save your own questions for later on in the meeting. Be ready to discuss:
1. how the accident happened
2. the particulars of the accident, such as the time, date, weather, traffic condition, etc.
3. insurance information about you and the other party
4. any information you have about witnesses, police or accident reports and photos.
The Paperwork
Hiring an attorney requires a few pieces of documentation, such as:
1. Release of medical information: this allows the attorney to access your medical records from medical facilities.
2 The retainer or contract: if the attorney agrees to represent you, you will be signing an agreement that states what the attorney will do for you and what, if anything, you will owe for those services. It's worth mentioning that most personal injury attorneys work on what is known as a contingency fee basis. That means that you won't need to pay the attorney upfront to begin working on your case, and that they only get paid if you win money damages. The amount decided on (which is spelled out in the retainer) is usually a percentage amount of your winnings. For example, if you win a $250, 000 judgment or settlement, the attorney might get 20% of that amount as their fee.
Taking the Case
The attorney may decide to pass on taking your case, for various reasons. In some instances, their caseload is too heavy at the moment and they might refer you to a colleague. Additionally, the attorney may take your case under advisement, which means that they want more time to evaluate it. Don't be discouraged or surprised by this, it just demonstrates that your attorney is careful and thoughtful.
You only have a certain amount of time to take action, so make an appointment and get started on your personal injury case today. You can also contact companies like Kaston & Aberle.
