A consultation is a preliminary meeting between a professional and a new customer, client, or patient where both parties can get to know each other and discuss working together. During a consultation with a personal injury lawyer, you can talk about your case and ask questions about the attorney’s methods.
If you are looking for help after being injured in an accident, scheduling a consultation is a great way to learn more about a lawyer before working with them. It’s important to come to your consultation prepared and ready to discuss your case.
What Happens During a Personal Injury Lawyer Consultation
After contacting the law firm you’re interested in by phone or online, you will set up a date and time for the consultation. You’ll then meet them at their office for face-to-face time.
A consultation is your time to ask questions and make sure the attorney is the best fit for you. A good lawyer will take the time to get to know you and fully understand your case. They will ask questions about the details. Make sure you bring any and all relevant documents in your case. Also, bring a note pad so you can take notes.
If you both feel the client-attorney relationship is a good fit, you will discuss the next steps from there.
Top 6 Questions to Ask During the Consultation
Make sure every minute of your consultation is used wisely by writing down key questions ahead of time. You can ask additional questions as they come up, but having a list of the most important ones will help keep you on track.
Here are some of the best questions to ask a personal injury lawyer during the consultation.
1. Do You Have Experience With My Type of Case?
Any lawyer may be interested in your case, but you want someone who has a background in situations like yours. Ask the attorney to tell you about other cases they’ve taken on that are similar to yours.
2. How Many Personal Injury Cases Like Mine Have You Settled This Year?
A successful track record is also important when choosing a personal injury lawyer. Ask about how many cases they have won settlements in this year—and how long they have been doing so.
3. What Percentage of Your Cases Are Personal Injury?
Some lawyers act us a “jack of all trades,” but it’s best to work with someone who specializes in personal injury law. They will be better informed about ongoing developments in tort law (Title 51 of the Georgia Code), and they will be better equipped for handling a variety of cases.
4. Who Will Be Handling My Case?
At some firms, the lawyer you meet with during the consultation is not the same one you’ll be assigned to. In other cases, a legal assistant or paralegal may have a bigger role in your case. These are vital details to know.
Ask the person you meet with whether or not they’ll be representing you and how big of a role they will play in your case. You want to work with a lawyer who is willing to put in the time getting to know you and communicating with you.
5. How Will We Communicate About Developments on My Case?
You want to feel like the lawyer’s first priority as they work on your case. It’s very important to have a regular communication schedule throughout the timeline of your case. Asking about this will give you a feel for how involved your lawyer plans to be—and how invested they are in winning your case.
6. Can I See a Breakdown of How Your Fees Work? (And Is Anything Required Upfront?)
Make sure you understand exactly how the lawyer charges fees when working with you. Many personal injury lawyers work on a contingent, which means you pay nothing upfront and only pay a fee if the lawyer wins your case. However, not all lawyers work this way, so it’s important to ask for sure.
Why the Consultation Should Always Be Free
Many personal injury lawyers offer the consultation completely free of charge. This allows you to get to know your attorney and discuss your case risk-free.
By offering a free consultation and working on a contingency basis, your lawyer can focus on your best interests and use their time with you wisely. Plus, you do not have to worry about paying anything upfront and add to any stress about current medical bills or lost wages.
At John Foy & Associates, we believe the consultation should always be free and that you should not have to worry about any upfront costs. We work exclusively on personal injury cases, and we have been helping injury victims win the settlements they deserve for over 20 years. To schedule a FREE consultation with one of our personal injury lawyers, call us today at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
