How Do I Prepare for a Consultation with a Personal Injury Attorney?  ~3 min read

Most personal injury attorneys provide a free consultation. At Springer & Lyle, we have some suggestions for you that will help you make the most of this time so you can move forward with choosing the attorney who inspires your trust and confidence.

The attorney will ask questions about your case, but this is also your opportunity to ask the attorney some questions. You should also take any documents you have relevant to your case that may help the attorney evaluate whether you should pursue it.

Documents to Take with You

You need evidence to prove your case. Some documents to bring at your initial free consultation include:

• The police report if you have one.
• Any photos of the accident scene, property damage and injuries.
• X-rays. 
• Witness statements and contact information.
• Medical records documenting treatment because of your injury.
• Pay stubs and/or W2 statements to document your income so the attorney can calculate your lost wages.
• A copy of your own auto insurance policy.
• A copy of all communications you have had with any insurance company, witnesses, and other parties.

Do not postpone your consultation or visit just because you have not yet accumulated all the documents you think are necessary. The attorneys will help you figure that out. 

Be prepared to answer some thorough questions about the accident and how it has affected your life.

Questions for you to Ask the Attorney

The free consultation is a two-way exchange. The attorney reviews your documents and evaluates your case, and you ask relevant questions. Some suggested questions are:

• What is your main practice area? You want an attorney whose main practice area is personal injury. You would not want an obstetrician to put a cast on your broken leg. You also do not want an attorney whose primary practice area is wills and trusts to pursue your personal injury case.
• Do you work on a contingency fee plan? This means that there are no attorney fees unless the attorney wins your case. The attorney will charge a percentage of your award to pay for the fees.
• What are the expected costs separate from attorney fees? Costs are in addition to attorney fees and include things like costs of obtaining medical and billing records, depositions, copying, mailing, filing documents in court, expert fees and so forth. Get this information now so you will not be surprised later.
• What is your track record of success? An attorney with a track record of success in court is also one who is likely to convince an insurance company to make a fair settlement offer.

The personal injury attorneys at Springer & Lyle have been helping victims of negligence and their families for over 35 years. Call 940.387.0404 for a free consultation.