What Do I Need To Know About Free Consultations with Personal Injury Attorneys?

At Hanning & Sacchetto, LLP , our Whittier personal injury attorneys provide free consultations that allow our prospective clients to discuss their accident and injuries, ask questions, and learn more about the legal process, so they can make an informed decision when it comes to choosing which attorney is the right one to handles their case.

There are several things to know about free legal consultations that will allow you to maximize your time with the attorney and gain valuable insight into how he or she can help you confidently move forward with your case. 

How To Gain Value From Your First Personal Injury Attorney Meeting

All personal injury cases are unique, and when your lawyer is pursuing the best outcome available for your case, the two of you are going to spend a considerable amount of time interacting.

Just like any other relationship, first impressions are important.

The more comfortable you are talking with the attorney, the better.

If you get the impression that the attorney is too busy, he or she probably is.

While all California, Whittier personal injury attorneys conduct free consultations differently, you should have the lawyer’s full attention during your initial meeting.

Should I Bring Anything To the Initial Consultation?

Initial consultations can be incredibly valuable for you and the attorney, especially when you have all the accident information available.

We understand you may not be fully prepared, which is okay, but helpful information could include:

• Accident report;
• Photographs and videos;
• Witness information;
• Information about the negligent party and their insurance company; and
• Medical records.

More importantly, be prepared to thoroughly discuss your accident, injuries, and the medical care you have received to date.

How Did Your Accident Occur?

Whether you were involved in an auto accident, slip and fall accident, dog bite, or any other accident we will ask you to explain how the incident occurred. In an auto accident for example: were you sitting at a red light when someone hit you from behind? Were you traveling through an intersection when someone ran a red light and hit your vehicle?

The details of the incident you were involved in are important, so be prepared to go over the complete circumstances with as much detail as possible.

What Injuries Did You Suffer as a Result of the Accident?

Personal injury cases are designed to pursue the negligent party for the financial compensation the injury victim needs to get their lives back to the condition they were in before the accident.

We will need to know:

• What injuries did you suffer?
• When and where you were first treated?
• Were you admitted to the hospital?
• Have you undergone X-rays, scans, or other tests?
• Have you received follow up care? Or are you scheduled for upcoming care?
• Have you been prescribed any medication or therapy?
• Do you have health insurance?
• Have you started to receive medical bills?
• Have you paid for any treatment out of pocket?
• Have you missed work because of your injuries?

Your injuries will dictate the types of compensation we pursue, which means we will need each of these questions answered accurately to move forward.

Be Sure to Ask the Personal Injury Attorneys Questions About Your Case

During your initial consultation with a personal injury attorney, it is important to ask questions.

Common questions can include:

• Why do I need a lawyer for this case?
• How long will this case take?
• What if I have given a statement to the insurance company? What if I haven’t?
• How will my medical expenses get paid?
• Is there anything I should avoid doing?
• If I hire you, who will I be talking with when I have questions or concerns?
• If you accept the case, what percentage do you charge?
• What expenses come out of the settlement?
• If I hire you to take my injury case, what are the next steps?

If you have been hurt in an accident that was caused by another’s negligence, contact our Whittier personal injury attorneys at Hanning & Sacchetto, LLP today to schedule a free initial consultation where we will fully evaluate your case and answer all your questions during our confidential meeting.