Helpful Hints About a Free Consultation with a Personal Injury Law Firm
If you’ve received an injury from a car accident, slip-and-fall accident, medical malpractice, or any other unfortunate event, you may be wondering about a free personal injury attorney consultation. Once you have conducted some research for a personal injury attorney in your area, you should schedule an initial consultation where you can get some answers to the questions that have been building up about your damages and injuries.
Most personal injury attorneys do not charge for an initial consultation, and Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA is no different. We offer legal advice during an obligation-free initial consultation with any person who has been injured and needs answers. Here are 9 things you should know about a free lawyer consultation.
What Can You Expect At This Free Consultation With a Personal Injury Attorney?
During your initial meeting with an injury attorney, your personal injury lawyer will first want to hear a detailed account of what happened. They will be collecting a variety of information from you during this process, but for the most part, it’s nothing that you do not already have the answers to. This article will help you ensure that you are prepared, know what to expect, and bring the necessary documents to make your initial consultation as fruitful as possible.
You should know that the length of the initial interview varies widely, depending on the type of negligence and the circumstances that led to your injuries. For more straightforward cases, like car accidents with personal injury protection, the first meeting most likely won’t take very long. The initial interview will usually last longer in more complex cases, like medical malpractice or defective products. No case, however, is simple or straightforward.
The following are the nine things you should know about your free consultation and personal injury case:
#1: What is the Statute of Limitations for Your Personal Injury Case?
Before you give much thought to pursuing a personal injury lawsuit for your injury, you must first consider whether or not your case has expired. This doesn’t apply to most people since it is common to seek compensation immediately after an injury. However, sometimes a client may wait years to file a personal injury lawsuit.
In Florida, the statute of limitations for a personal injury case, according to Florida Statute 95.11, is four (4) years from the date of the incident. If the claim is against a government agency, like the city you live in, you only have three (3) years. For wrongful death suits, the limit is two (2) years from the date of death.
If your incident happened less than the above number of years, you meet the necessary requirements. You will not have a timing issue that will prevent you from pursuing compensation. You can advance in your initial consultation with your personal injury lawyer to discuss the particulars of the case and get to know your potential attorney.
#2: Getting to Know Your Attorney
Before you select an attorney to consult with, you want to do a basic internet research on them. Look at websites like Avvo.com, SuperLawyers.com, the Florida State Bar Association, and of course, Google Reviews. These are great places to start.
Remember, the consultation is as much your time to get to know the attorney(s) you will be working with as it is their time to understand your case, answer your questions, and provide basic legal advice. Most people know right away if they like someone, trust someone, or think they will be a good match.
This initial consultation is not only about whether you think you can work with them but whether you feel they have the qualifications, experience, and expertise to handle your personal injury case. Remember, the personal injury lawyer you choose represents your chance at pursuing compensation for your personal injury damages, such as medical bills, property damage, and lost wages.
Aside from general first impressions, consider if you feel the attorney will handle your specific case well. Do they seem comfortable with the material? Do they seem confident in their abilities? Do they seem believable?
