What to Expect When Meeting With an Auto Accident Lawyer

What to Expect When Meeting With an Auto Accident Lawyer

It’s common to be nervous about meeting with an auto accident lawyer for the first time after being in a car accident. You want help paying for a recovery that you should never have needed. You aren’t alone. Over 4 million car accidents happened in 2019, with injury costs being estimated at $463 billion. Remember that an auto accident lawyer will know how to navigate your situation and can help guide you through the litigation process. Here are a few key things to expect during your first auto accident lawyer visit.

Prepare to Tell the Story Backwards

Don’t start at the beginning. Instead, start with a list of damage you incurred to your vehicle and your body. Include the medical visits you’ve had so far and the ones you still need to have. Discuss how much time you’ve spent out of work. At that time, the auto accident lawyer may ask you to start at the beginning to hear about the crash.

Bring All Documentation

Bring all the documentation you have. This documentation should include the police report or the report number and agency contact information, medical records if you have them, receipts from doctor’s offices and chiropractors, evaluations and recommendations from medical staff, insurance coverage policy, and any emails you’ve entered into with the insurance company.

Ask Lots of Questions About the Process

Discuss the lawyer’s role in helping you negotiate a settlement or going to trial, how long it might take for a resolution, and what to expect from the process. Remember that if the attorney isn’t answering all of your questions, you can always change lawyers.

Discuss Fees

An auto accident attorney should be able to discuss their fees with you in a reasonable timeframe. Many attorneys will have these freely available to you in person or over the phone. Some lawyers do not take payments upfront. Instead, they only take a payment out of the insurance company’s fees.

If you’ve been in an auto accident, meeting with a lawyer for the first time can be nerve-wracking. Remember they are there to help and will know how to navigate your situation and what you need from them. Working with insurance companies isn’t always easy for many people seeking legal advice following their car crash injuries, but having good representation makes all the difference!