5 Crucial Things You Should Know About A Free Initial Consultation With A Personal Injury Attorney
After suffering serious injuries in an accident because of another party’s negligence, you have the right to file a claim and recover compensation from the negligent party. You have the right to file your Florida personal injury claim alone without the help of an attorney, but it is in your best interest to hire an attorney. Often, people fail to hire personal injury attorneys because they believe they can handle the situation alone or cannot afford legal fees. But the truth is that it is very difficult to navigate a personal injury case alone. Also, regarding legal fees, you will be relieved to know that personal injury attorneys at The Law Offices of Marc L. Shapiro work on a contingency fee basis and offer a free initial consultation.
An initial consultation is when an accident attorney meets with a prospective client to determine whether they will be able to represent a victim of negligence. When it comes to initial consultations with personal injury attorneys, there are several things you need to know. This article discusses five things you should know about a free initial consultation with a personal injury attorney.
Carry All the Evidence You Might Have Collected
After your accident, you likely gathered evidence. For example, you might have taken pictures and videos at the accident scene. You might have also gathered witness statements and gotten a copy of the police or accident report. Whatever piece of evidence you have that you can carry, bring it with you to your initial consultation with a personal injury attorney. The initial consultation allows you to tell the attorney about your case and any evidence to corroborate your story will be helpful the attorney.
The Attorney Will Ask Questions
When you first meet with a personal injury attorney, they will undoubtedly have questions for you. Often, these questions will come after you have shared your story with the attorney. For example, a personal injury attorney may ask questions aimed at helping them determine if you might be allocated some of the blame. They might ask you questions aimed at helping them to decide if yours is a strong case or whether they should take on your case.
You Should Ask Questions
It is crucial that during your initial consultation with a personal injury attorney, you ask the questions you have. Do not be afraid to ask “silly” questions. That is what they are there for. Remember, you want to ensure you select the right law firm for you.
The following are some of the questions you should ask during an initial consultation;
- Do I have to sign anything? Can explain what I am signing?
- How much experience does your firm have in handling cases similar to mine?
- What are some benefits your firm offer that others do not?
Preparing your questions in advance is a good idea, so you do not forget what to ask.
You Will Discuss Attorney Fees
During your initial consultation with a personal injury attorney, you and the attorney will discuss attorney fees. The personal injury attorney will explain to you how they charge their clients. Most personal injury attorneys do not charge clients anything upfront. Instead, they recover their fees only after a client accepts a settlement offer or a verdict is rendered. However, even when an attorney works on a contingency fee basis, there may be some expenses an attorney needs you to take care of. You will know about this during your initial consultation.
An Attorney Might Decline Your Case
Just because you have scheduled a consultation and discussed your case with an attorney, it does not mean the attorney will take your case. A personal injury attorney may refuse to take your case for several reasons. Below are some common reasons attorneys refuse to take on personal injury cases;
- Conflict of interest
- Statute of limitations on the case is too short or has expired
- Attorney does not handle such cases
- There may not be enough negligence on the part of the other party
- Potential client shares too much responsibility for their accident and injuries
Contact Us for Legal Help
If you have suffered injuries in a Florida accident because of another person’s negligence and are looking to schedule a consultation with a skilled personal injury attorney, contact our Naples personal injury attorneys at The Law Offices of Marc L. Shapiro.
