If you’ve been injured in an accident, reaching out to a personal injury lawyer in Fort Lauderdale is one of the most important steps you can take. However, if you’ve never met with a lawyer before, this can feel intimidating. Understanding what happens during a personal injury consultation will help you feel prepared, confident, and informed before speaking with an attorney.
Here’s what you can expect when meeting with a personal injury lawyer in Fort Lauderdale for the first time, and how this consultation helps determine the best path forward for your claim.
What Information Should You Bring to a Personal Injury Consultation?
Dealing with medical bills, missed work, or insurance paperwork is stressful enough. Before your initial consultation with a personal injury lawyer, knowing how to prepare can help calm your nerves. Here’s a simple checklist of what to bring to get the most out of your time:
- ID & Contact information – This will make it easy for your lawyer to contact you and verify your identity during the initial consultation.
- Accident report – This provides an official account of the accident, giving your lawyer a clear narrative of what happened.
- Photo or videos of the accident scene – Details can fade from memory, especially if some time has passed between your accident and the initial consultation with your lawyer. This will provide indisputable evidence of what happened and give your lawyer further context of the accident.
- Medical records – Hospital and doctor’s office visits, MRIs, X-rays, treatment plans, and related expenses illustrate the extent of your injuries and the cost of treatment.
- Insurance information – Health and auto insurance (if you were in a car accident) details, plus any correspondence with your insurance company, helps your lawyer understand your coverage and any disputes.
- Proof of lost wages – If your accident has affected your ability to work, bring pay stubs, tax returns, and any correspondence with your employer regarding missed work. These can influence final compensation.
If you’re missing some of these documents, don’t worry. An experienced personal injury lawyer in Fort Lauderdale will still be able to move forward with your claim and help you track down additional information later on.
Questions a Personal Injury Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale Will Ask
During the initial consultation, a personal injury lawyer will ask questions about your case. It’s okay if you don’t know the answer to every question. The lawyer is simply trying to understand the facts of your case to provide the most accurate legal advice. Common questions might include:
- How the accident happened
- When and where the accident occurred
- Who may be at fault
- The extent of your injuries and medical treatment
- Whether you’ve spoken with insurance companies
This is also your opportunity to ask questions. For example:
- Do you have any experience trying personal injury cases similar to mine?
- What’s your approach to communication and legal strategy?
- How will you prove liability, and what damages can I recover?
- How long does a personal injury lawsuit take?
What Happens After the Consultation if You Move Forward?
After that first meeting, your lawyer should have a good idea of whether or not you have a case. If you decide to move forward, your lawyer will outline the next steps. This includes signing a representation agreement outlining the attorney-client relationship, gathering additional evidence, speaking with any witnesses, communicating with insurance companies on your behalf, and negotiating a settlement or, if necessary, preparing for litigation.
Schedule Your Free Consultation Today
Understandably, you might be nervous about the first meeting with your lawyer. However, if you think you may have a personal injury case, it’s essential to get in touch with a personal injury lawyer in Fort Lauderdale as soon as possible. Contact the team at Ginnis, Krathen & Zelnick today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation and get the guidance you deserve.