If you have been injured due to others’ actions or negligence, it is essential to seek legal guidance to understand your options. Accidents can lead to medical bills, lost wages, and property damage.
With a lawyer’s help, you can bring a personal injury claim to recover your damages. The first step in this process is a consultation.
What Is a Consultation?
A consultation is your opportunity to meet with a personal injury attorney to discuss your case. This initial meeting allows you to share details about the accident, ask questions, and learn about your potential legal options.
The attorney can consider the facts and discuss the likelihood of success in your personal injury case. Although a consultation itself may not form an attorney-client relationship, it is often the first step before hiring an attorney.
What Should You Do Before Your Meeting with an Attorney?
There are several steps you should take to prepare for your consultation with an attorney. Preparing for the meeting can ensure you get the most out of the consultation. Bringing the right information to this meeting can also enable your lawyer to give you more accurate answers to any questions about your claim.
Compile Notes
As soon as possible after the accident, you should take notes about the incident. In your notes, you should detail what happened, when it occurred, and the parties involved. Include any conversations you’ve had with witnesses or insurance adjusters.
Gather Records and Documentation
You should collect all relevant documents related to your personal injury accident. This may include medical records, accident reports, witness statements, and any correspondence with insurance companies. Take pictures of the scene of the accident and of your own injuries. Go to a doctor to get a professional evaluation of your injuries.
Bring the following to an initial consultation:
- Notes and photographs of the accident and your injury(s)
- Medical evidence, including doctor’s notes and imaging
- Accident reports, including police crash reports
- Police notes about the investigation if you can obtain them
- Witness statements or contact information
- Citations or tickets
- Insurance information, including car insurance and health insurance
- The other driver’s information
While the attorney may not be able to review all of these documents in depth during the consultation, this evidence can improve the accuracy of the attorney’s assessments.
Bring Your Questions
Your consultation is a two-way conversation. Do not hesitate to ask the lawyer any questions you may have about your case or about the process of bringing a personal injury claim. This is your chance to clarify any doubts and gain a deeper understanding of the legal process.
If you take these steps, you will set yourself up for success during the consultation.
What to Expect During Your Personal Injury Lawyer Consultation
Having your records and notes in hand can help your attorney better understand the specifics of your case. This information will be crucial in determining the strength of your claim. It can also make it easier for the attorney to develop strategies to maximize your recovery.
Be prepared to provide a detailed account of the accident. This should include the circumstances leading up to the incident, the event itself, and its aftermath. The more details you can provide, the better your attorney can evaluate your case.
Do not forget to ask questions. The attorney’s answers can clear up any doubts or concerns that you have about the process. These answers can also provide valuable information about what to expect in a personal injury case.
During your consultation, you’ll also want to assess the attorney. The consultation is not only a chance for you to gather information about your case, but also about an attorney or firm that you may hire. Ask about the attorney’s experience, their approach to personal injury cases, and their track record.
Your attorney will explain how their fees work and discuss compensation. Many personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. That means they only get paid if you win your case, so you do not owe attorney’s fees upfront. It is important to understand fee structures before signing a contract with an attorney.
Signing a Contract with Your Personal Injury Attorney
If you decide to move forward with the attorney, the next step after the consultation is to sign an agreement. This agreement outlines the lawyer’s services, the attorney-client relationship, and the fee structure. You should read the agreement carefully and ask any questions you have before signing.
Next Steps After Your Consultation
Once you’ve had your consultation and decided to proceed, your attorney will initiate the legal process. This typically involves investigating your claim, collecting evidence, and building your case. Then, your attorney will negotiate with insurance companies to obtain a settlement. If a fair settlement is not possible, your attorney may need to prepare for trial.
Contact the Minnesota Personal Injury Law Firm of Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys For Help Today
At Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys, we understand the complexities of personal injury cases, and we’re dedicated to helping our clients seek the compensation they deserve. We have recovered over $90 million recovered for our clients, and our attorneys have a host of accolades, including being named Attorney of the Year for 2021 by Minnesota Lawyer. Our track record demonstrates our experience and dedication to support you throughout your personal injury case.
If you’re in Edina, MN, and need legal advice regarding your personal injury case, do not hesitate to reach out to Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys. Our experienced team is here to guide you every step of the way.
For more information, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys to schedule a free initial consultation today. We have three convenient locations in Minnesota, including Minneapolis, St. Cloud, and Edina.
We proudly serve Hennepin County, Stearns County, and its surrounding areas:
Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys – Minneapolis
825 Nicollet Mall, Suite 615
Minneapolis, MN 55402
(800) 292-1979
Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys – St. Cloud
1010 W St Germain St # 320
St Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 255-1000
Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys – Edina
5200 Willson Rd #203
Edina, MN 55424
(952) 697-5560
