When you are injured in an accident, you may have a claim for damages against the responsible party and/or their insurer. Personal injury claims in Los Angeles can be quite complex. It’s often a good idea to hire a qualified personal injury lawyer to assist you and defend your case.
During your first consultation with a personal injury lawyer, he or she will want to hear details of the accident in detail. You may not be aware of the circumstances behind the death of a family member. An attorney will then ask you for as much information as possible about what you know.
The initial consultation process is handled differently by different law firms. Consultations can last anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour or more, depending on the firm or attorney. Longer consultations lead to potential damages that are more significant. In some cases, like those following a car accident, it may be possible to complete the interview in 30 minutes. If the situation is complex, the interview may take longer.
In most cases, a lawyer will provide a free initial consultation. Here are five things you should know before meeting with an attorney to discuss your case.
- Take Any Evidence You have Gathered With You
Don’t show up to your free consultation empty-handed if you have evidence to back up your claims. Why? You want the lawyer you’re meeting with to agree to take your case. It’s a good idea to start by telling your side of the story. Having facts to back up what you’ve told the lawyer, on the other hand, can be quite beneficial.
Take any photos of the incident or your injuries, as well as a copy of the police report and medical history that may be useful. During the very first meeting, the attorney may not go over them in-depth, but they will be able to swiftly assess what you’ve provided and gain a better grasp of the merits (and potential flaws) of your case.
- Be Prepared as You’ll Have the Opportunity to Ask Questions
The attorney you choose is extremely essential. You’ll want to hire someone with whom you feel comfortable confiding and collaborating. You’ll need an attorney you can rely on and trust. Use your free consultation to discover more about the lawyer you’re meeting with. Consider the following questions:
- For how long have you been a lawyer?
- Since when have you focused on personal injury law?
- Have you handled cases like mine before? And how did you handle them?
- How will the law firm handle my case? Will you personally handle it?
If you decide to hire that lawyer, the answers to these questions can strike up conversations about what your case might look like. If you don’t like the answers or don’t feel like the lawyer is a good fit for you, don’t be afraid to meet with another lawyer or two. Remember that you should feel at ease working with and trusting the attorney you hire.
- Your Attorney may also ask Questions
After you’ve given a detailed description of your accident, the attorney you meet with will almost certainly have some questions for you. They’ll most likely ask probing questions to see if you’re to blame for something.
They may ask the same question several times to see if your response varies – this can be useful in establishing if you’re being transparent and truthful or assisting you in finding an elusive answer. The purpose of these questions is to assist the attorney in determining whether or not your case is one that they would like to take on. Attorneys weigh a variety of criteria, including the case’s strength and the expected recovery.
- Discuss Attorney Fees and Court Costs in Advance
The majority of personal injury lawyers in the United States, including those in Los Angeles, work on a contingency basis. This implies that their compensation is contingent on the outcome of your lawsuit.
A fee is only paid if the lawyer is successful in obtaining a settlement offer or a favorable verdict in your case. Personal injury attorneys in Los Angeles are subject to stringent regulations about how much they can charge for their services. It’s critical to bring up this topic with your attorney and have him or her explain to you – in plain English – what you’ll be asked to pay and when.
- It’s Possible the Lawyer won’t Take Your Case
Again, just because you met with an attorney for a free consultation and discussed your injury doesn’t indicate they’ll accept your case. The following are some of the most common reasons for this:
- There is a conflict of interest between the attorney and the client
- Your case has passed the statute of limitations
- The projected recovery is too small for your injuries and the injuries are minor
- There have been several local attorneys who have rejected your case, and that’s a red flag
- Your accident and injuries are too much your faults, or
- Your attorney doesn’t handle cases like yours regularly
- There’s something wrong with the fit.
You might be recommended to another law office if your lawyer doesn’t wish to take your case. Don’t be afraid to ask for one if they don’t have one.
If You want a reputable firm to study and handle your case, then Siman Law Firm may be the best Personal Injury Law Firm Near You in Los Angeles. The experienced attorneys at Siman Law Firm provide you with a free consultation to handle your case.