What Do You Need at an Initial Consultation with your Lawyer?

• December 21, 2020
• Personal Injury, Automobile Accidents

Like us, many personal injury attorneys offer an initial free consultation with a lawyer to help you determine if you have a legal claim against the person (or persons) who caused your accident.

Of course, every case is different so use this time to tell us about your accident but also to make a determination as to whether we are the right attorney for you.

Choosing a Personal Injury Attorney

To start with, do some basic research on any attorney you decide to talk with. You should be able to find their profile on their firm’s website along with information on the types of cases the firm takes and their approach.

You may want to do a Google search to find any reviews that have been posted. Also, look at attorney directory sites or other related legal sites, both regional and local, such as:

• American Association for Justice
• AVVO
• Best of the Bar
• Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys
• National Trial Lawyers
• Super Lawyers

If your accident is more severe or complicated, you’ll want an attorney with experience preferably in your type of situation.

The Initial Consultation

It will not take a personal injury attorney long to form an opinion as to whether or not you have a case for damages. There are three essential factors every personal injury attorney looks for when choosing to accept a case.

• Liability, someone is at fault
• Significant damages
• The ability to collect (i.e., the person at fault has the money to pay damages)

For the initial consultation, what information is needed? Basically, everything, including (but not limited to):

• Police reports/crash reports
• Photographs and/or video
• Witness information
• Information about the other driver
• The other driver’s insurance information
• Copy of your insurance cards – auto and health
• Copy of the declaration page of your auto policy
• Discharge records from the emergency room or hospital stay
• Diagram you drew of how the accident happened
• Notes you took

Information about your injuries and treatment, including (but not limited to):

• Date of first treatment and where
• Whether you were treated only in the emergency room or if you were admitted to the hospital
• Follow up treatments received since the accident
• Prescriptions for medication given due to the accident
• Testing that has been done
• Approximate cost of medical care to date
• Whether you have missed work due to the accident

Your own list of questions for your attorney, including (but not limited to):

• Will you need a lawyer for this case
• What to do when the insurance adjuster calls
• How will medical expenses get paid
• What should you be doing (or not doing) right now
• Who will the primary point of contact be when you have questions or concerns
• Should the case be accepted, what percentage will be charged
• What expenses will be deducted from the settlement

Does Nash & Franciskato offer a free consultation?

Yes, we offer a free, no-obligation consultation. Our personal injury team will tell you if your case has met the three factors. If so, we will provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision about taking legal action against the person or people responsible.

Typically, cases are taken on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay unless we win.

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

DO YOU NEED LEGAL ASSISTANCE?

Have you been seriously injured in an accident? Call Nash & Franciskato. We have a successful track record of helping accident victims collect the compensation they deserve.

In the Kansas City area and across Missouri, the Nash & Franciskato Law Firm will fight for your rights. Contact our legal team today. One of our experienced staff will speak with you personally and will provide you with a free, no-obligation case evaluation.

CONTACT US FOR A FREE REVIEW OF YOUR CASE

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Past results afford no guarantee of future results and each case is different and is judged on its own merits. The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.