After you have received medical attention for your injury, the next step is to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer about the possibility of recovering compensation for your damages through a personal injury claim. If you have never filed a personal injury claim before or even worked with a lawyer, you might not know what to expect from this meeting. Although it can be intimidating, relax. Lawyers are human beings and your lawyer’s goal is to help you secure a fair amount of compensation for your damages. Use the guidelines below to help yourself prepare for your first consultation with a personal injury lawyer. If you have more questions before the meeting, contact the lawyer or his or her secretary beforehand to have them answered.
The Lawyer will have Questions for You
Be prepared to answer questions about your injury and your damages. Your lawyer will likely ask you about the following:
The incident that caused your injury. What happened? Who was there? When did it happen? Was the incident recorded? What environmental factors caused the accident? And Your financial damages. How much did your medical treatment cost? Are you out of work and if so, how long have you been out of work? What is your doctor’s prognosis for your injury and your future work capability?
Bring all documents related to your accident to help your lawyer glean the necessary information. These documents can include the official police report, your doctor’s comments about the injury, photographs or video recordings of the accident, and documents showing your lost wages. With this information, your lawyer can determine whether you have grounds for a case and if so, what you can realistically expect.
YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT THE LEGAL PROCESS OF PURSUING A CLAIM
Your lawyer will explain how he or she determined your claim estimates and go over how you will work together to seek compensation. This may include gathering more evidence like expert testimonies, following your doctor’s requirements for your recovery, and weighing the possibility of filing a lawsuit to have your case determined in court.
EXPECT A REALISTIC EVALUATION OF YOUR CASE
In order to receive a realistic evaluation of your case, it might be necessary to speak with a few lawyers before committing to working with one. This way, you will be able to gauge any red flags like promises of specific outcomes or quotes that are far above or below what your case is worth.
WORK WITH AN EXPERIENCED ATLANTA PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER
Meeting with a personal injury lawyer for the first time can be intimidating. Talk about your concerns with your lawyer and if something does not make sense to you, ask him or her for clarification. The lawyer you choose to handle your case should be somebody with whom you feel comfortable discussing the details of your case and somebody you feel confident trusting to seek compensation for your damages on your behalf. To schedule your free consultation with an experienced Atlanta personal injury lawyer, contact Michael Ruppersburg, Attorney at Law today.