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You can hire a personal injury lawyer to represent you when pursuing financial recovery with an insurance claim or lawsuit. During your first meeting with your personal injury lawyer, you can expect to learn about the benefits of their law firm and establish a mutually respectful lawyer/client relationship.
If you or someone you love was injured in a negligence-based accident, you can seek compensation from the at-fault party. While you can do so alone, hiring a lawyer could greatly benefit your compensation request. Find out how by getting a free initial consultation and case review.
Expect to Answer Questions at Your First Meeting With a Personal Injury Lawyer
In your initial meeting, your lawyer will ask you questions about your accident, injuries, and life in general. Be prepared to talk about:
- The sequence of events that led to the accident
- The extent of your accident-related injuries and how they have affected your life
- Whether any eyewitness came forward
- Whether a police report was filed
- Your job and how much work you have missed
- Whether you have spoken to the at-fault party’s insurance company
The lawyer/client relationship is built on mutual trust and respect. Be prepared to answer your lawyer honestly and forthrightly, even if you believe your actions may have contributed to the accident. You should also bring any evidence already in your possession to this initial meeting. Your injury attorney will handle evidence collection for you going forward.
Be Prepared With a List of Questions for Your Lawyer
Your first meeting with your lawyer is also the time to get answers to any questions you have. Consider asking these six questions to learn more about a prospective lawyer and law firm:
- How long have you been handling personal injury cases? A lawyer with experience can bring familiarity with personal injury and insurance law to your case.
- Have you ever had a case like mine? No two injury claims are exactly alike, but you should hire a lawyer who has previously handled similar cases.
- How much is my personal injury case worth? An experienced lawyer can help you avoid overlooking or omitting valid expenses you can recover from the liable party’s insurance provider.
- How often do you provide progress reports? You can avoid the stress of wondering about your case by choosing a lawyer who provides regular updates.
- How much do you charge for personal injury representation? Most lawyers will accept your case on a contingency fee basis, meaning they will only be compensated when you are.
- How long will it take to reach a resolution? The timeline of every case is different, but your lawyer can help you keep your case focused and on track.
Asking these questions during your initial meeting can help you understand the type of relationship you will have with your lawyer and how hard they will work to get the financial compensation you need and deserve.
Your Injury Lawyer Will Ask About the Date and Outcome of the Accident
The sooner you hire a personal injury law firm, the better. With sufficient notice from you, they can meet the mandatory statute of limitations. In North Carolina, you generally have:
- Three years to file your personal injury lawsuit, according to G.S. § 1-52
- Two years to file your wrongful death lawsuit, according to G.S. § 1-53
If you wait too long to hire a lawyer and the filing deadline expires, the court could bar you from filing your lawsuit or dismiss it immediately. Your lawyer will help you meet all applicable notification and filing deadlines.
Your Lawyer Will Ask About Your Expenses and Losses at Your First Meeting
Your injury attorney will aim to legally compel the person or entity whose negligence is responsible for your accident to compensate you for the following expenses and losses:
- Economic damages, including current and future medical treatment costs, current and future lost wages, loss of future earning potential, and property damage, loss, or diminishment
- Non-economic damages, including lasting impairments, significant disfigurement, physical pain and suffering, mental and emotional trauma, and loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death damages, including funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial and household support, and loss of consortium, companionship, guidance, and care
Your lawyer will also support your compensation request with bills, receipts, and other evidence that can lead to a fair financial recovery for you and your family.
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Ask Your Personal Injury Attorney How Much Interaction You Will Have With the Insurance Company
A primary benefit of hiring a lawyer is their willingness to deal with the at-fault party and their insurance company for you. So you can focus your time and energy on getting better, they will:
- Respond to information requests
- Respond to evidence requests
- Represent you during depositions
- Protect you from bad faith tactics
- Complete insurance claim forms
- Submit a settlement demand letter
- Negotiate for a favorable settlement
Your lawyer will also collect evidence that proves the negligent party caused your accident and submit a case file that establishes your right to financial recovery.
Find Out What Previous Clients Have to Say About the Law Firm
Many law firms post reviews and testimonials from previous clients. These firsthand accounts can provide insight into the law firm or a particular lawyer. They can help you understand how a law firm operates, their history of settlements and verdicts, and their approach to the lawyer/client relationship.
Learn About the Benefits of a Meeting With Our Personal Injury Team
If you or someone you love was injured in an accident caused by negligence, you can seek compensation with legal guidance and support from our personal injury lawyers. A free consultation can let you learn more about hiring our law firm and what to expect during your first meeting with a personal injury lawyer.
Contact our consultation team at Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC for a free review of your personal injury claim.
