After an Accident: What to Do During the Lawyer Consultation
After a car accident, you have a lot on your plate. There are hospital visits to make, insurance agents to call and lawyers to meet up with. If you’re new to hiring a lawyer, here’s what you need to do at your first meeting.
Discuss Your Story
During the initial case assessment, you have to discuss the facts of the case. Sit down and talk with an accident attorney Tampa residents trust about the facts of the case. You need to make sure that you have all of the legal information as well as any information from your insurance company. You can talk to the lawyer about the conversations you’ve had with insurers, what coverage you have and who else you’ve spoken to about the accident. This is where you may also provide police reports, medical bills and other important documents.
Share Every Detail
Don’t leave any details out! It might be tempting to leave out details if you think that it might damage your case or if you think it’s embarrassing. Keep in mind that a lawyer wants to help represent you. In addition, even if you do not hire the lawyer, your first meeting still falls under attorney-client privilege. If you do hire the lawyer, then everything will come out eventually anyway.
Car accident lawsuits tend to settle out of court, in fact, 91 percent of them do. While some may have to go to trial, you want to make sure that your lawyer has all of the information to make the proper negotiations beforehand and in case, you do go to trial.
Question Your Attorney
Before you hire the attorney, you should feel free to ask questions. Throughout the consultation, you may have a variety of questions that spring up. If you don’t, there are still some basic questions to consider. For instance, you will want to know how much experience he or she has with car accidents similar to yours. Will he or she have the experience necessary to help you win?
After a car accident, one of your first calls should be to a lawyer’s office. When it comes to meeting with a lawyer, most of the discussion will be straightforward. Most lawyers offer free consultations where you can ask questions and decide whether you want to hire him or her. Likewise, it gives the lawyer a chance to assess whether your case is worth it.
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4 Tips for Hiring a Lawyer
Maybe you’re in trouble. Maybe you want to avoid trouble. Whatever your reasons for seeking a lawyer, you’ll want to consider your options carefully before you sign on the dotted line. Here are just four tips for finding and hiring a qualified legal professional.
- Look for a Specialist
Instead of hiring a “jack of all trades” lawyer, take the time to find a specialist within the field. These lawyers are the ones who will have the skills and the background to properly handle your case. You don’t want someone with shallow-level knowledge of eight different subjects; you want someone with ocean-depth knowledge of one or two.
- Talk About Money
It might be awkward to bring up money matters with a potential lawyer, but it’s better to get everything out in the open. If they’re going to bill you by the hour, you’ll want to know that in advance. If they’re going to take a cut of your settlement as a commission, you’ll want to be prepared for that as well.
- Stay Local
Unless you’re being tried in a federal case, it’s always better to stay close to home when hiring a lawyer. They’re more familiar with local laws, and they have better relationships with judges, bailiffs, secretaries and other important people. If you need help with a criminal case in Fairfax, make sure that you’re looking for a Fairfax criminal attorney.
- View Feedback
Lawyers are just like doctors and mechanics: They get reviewed by previous customers. If you want to know the true measure of a law firm, read its reviews. Do people seem happy with the services that they received? Would they recommend the lawyer to a friend? Do they have any complaints about the way that they were treated?
These are just a few things to keep in mind when you’re searching for a lawyer. Making the right decision about your legal representation can be the difference between a win and a loss, so don’t cut corners when it comes to lawyering up. Find a qualified person for the job.
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