You should ask your Long Island personal injury lawyer several questions during your first meeting, including what experience they have with cases similar to yours, your case’s potential value, how much they charge, and what potential strengths and weaknesses they see in your case.
- Important Questions to Ask Your Personal Injury Attorney
- Questions Your Personal Injury Lawyer Will Likely Ask You
- When Should You Meet With a Personal Injury Lawyer?
- Call Today for a Free Personal Injury Consultation With Friedman & Simon, L.L.P.
Important Questions to Ask Your Personal Injury Attorney
Your first meeting with your personal injury lawyer is vital. It lets you get to know each other better, tells you how they will handle your case, and helps you anticipate what to expect throughout the legal process. Here are some important questions you should ask:
1. What Is Your Experience With Cases Similar to Mine?
Learning your lawyer’s professional history of working on matters in the specific area of personal injury law that your case falls under enables you to understand their level of experience and how they will handle your claim.
For example, if you were involved in a crash with an 18-wheeler, you will want to know about your Long Island truck accident lawyer’s experience in gathering evidence related to truck accident claims and negotiating with trucking companies and their insurance providers.
You should also ask about the results of some of their recent cases similar to yours and whether those cases were settled during negotiations or if they had to go to court.
2. How Much Might My Claim Be Worth?
You should not expect an exact number or a promise in answer to this question, as your personal injury attorney will need time to evaluate all your losses. However, they should be able to give you a rough estimate or explain what damages you likely qualify for, such as medical bills, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
3. How Much Do You Charge?
Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you only have to pay them if they secure compensation for you. Their fees will be a percentage of your final settlement or court award.
Before signing anything, ensure you understand what percentage of your compensation your lawyer will take and whether there are any additional fees or expenses you will be expected to cover.
4. What Strengths and Weaknesses Do You See in My Case?
Asking this question gives you an idea of how strong your case is and any potential obstacles you might encounter as you pursue an appropriate settlement. It’s better to be prepared and know ahead of time what you are up against.
Depending on the answer to this question, you can also ask follow-ups about what tactics they will use to reach a successful outcome for you and how long they believe the legal process will take.
For a free legal consultation, call (516) 932-0400
Questions Your Personal Injury Lawyer Will Likely Ask You
In addition to preparing a list of questions to ask your personal injury attorney, you should also come to your meeting prepared to answer their questions. Some of the things they could ask you include:
Will You Explain to Me What Happened in Your Own Words?
While re-living the accident is often difficult, you should be ready to describe to your attorney exactly what happened from your point of view. You should be as detailed and honest as possible and provide any information you can think of, even if you believe it is irrelevant to your personal injury claim.
What Medical Care Have You Received?
Your lawyer will want to know what injuries you sustained, what ongoing care you require, your prognosis, and details of any treatments you have already received.
What Evidence Have You Collected?
While your lawyer will take primary responsibility for gathering evidence in your case, you should bring any evidence you have already gathered to your first meeting. Such evidence might include:
- Copies of your medical bills and records
- A copy of the accident or incident report, if applicable
- Contact information for any witnesses to your accident
- Any photos you took of the accident scene or your injuries
- Copies of emails or other correspondence you’ve had with the liable party’s insurance company
- Documentation of any wages you have lost during your recovery
When Should You Meet With a Personal Injury Lawyer?
We recommend contacting a personal injury law firm as soon as possible after a car accident, slip and fall, dog bite, or other negligence-based incident. You might be tempted to wait until your injuries are healed or your life gets back to “normal,” but starting quickly is important for several reasons:
- A lawyer will assist you throughout the recovery process. You focus on healing while they handle your legal claim.
- Your attorney will need as much time as possible to gather evidence and prove the at-fault party’s liability.
- New York Civil Practice Laws & Rules § 214 limits the time you have to file a personal injury lawsuit in New York.
It is also very important to note that a shorter statute of limitations may apply to your situation, depending upon the circumstances of your case. It is best to take advantage of a free case review with our firm so that you know exactly what deadlines you are facing and what your best options for legal action are. The sooner you speak to our accident injury lawyers, the sooner we will start protecting your rights.
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Call Today for a Free Personal Injury Consultation With Friedman & Simon, L.L.P.
At Friedman & Simon, L.L.P., we are passionate advocates for the injured. Before coming to your first meeting with a personal injury attorney at our firm, prepare a list of all the questions you want to ask us. We know you are going through a very difficult time right now, and we will address your concerns with compassion and empathy.
Contact us today to get the process started with a free initial consultation.
Call or text (516) 932-0400 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form