There are millions of Americans who experience a personal injury each year. Whether it’s a slip and fall in the workplace, a construction accident, or you’re a victim of a car crash, one of the first things you must do in the aftermath is find a personal injury lawyer and file a claim.
Once you’ve chosen a personal injury lawyer, you will be invited for a consultation to go over your case and decide what course of action to take to help you win it. The whole process can be extremely daunting, so here are some useful tips on how to get the most out of your first meeting.
Bring Evidence
When going for your first meeting with a personal injury lawyer, you must gather and bring as much evidence as you can. Your attorney isn’t a mind reader and cannot go any further without documentation in front of them, so whether it’s witness statements, medical records, or a journal outlining your experience and injuries, the more evidence you provide, the better. Even if you believe a piece of evidence isn’t relevant, it’s still advised to present it to your lawyer as it could come in handy and strengthen your case.
Look for Communication Skills
Once you arrive at your personal injury lawyer’s office, you should know within an instant whether they’re right for your case. Effective communication is crucial from the beginning. If your lawyer struggles to engage with you and they make you feel comfortable, they may not be the right person for the job. Law terminology can be hard to understand, so you must pick a lawyer who breaks everything down into easy-to-follow terms.
Be Honest
No matter what personal injury you have, it’s important that you’re open and honest with your lawyer from the offset. Keeping anything hidden may come back to bite you when you’re in court and dealing with the opposition. If you don’t have anything to hide, there won’t be any problems once your case goes forward.
Ask Questions
There are all sorts of questions you may have on your mind when going for your first meeting with a personal injury lawyer. Whether it’s how long the process will take, the likelihood of you receiving compensation, or how to keep your health and wellbeing in check along the way, don’t be afraid to speak to your attorney about anything. They are there for a reason and want to help in any way they can to win your case.
Do Additional Research
If you have left your personal injury lawyer meeting and don’t feel fulfilled or something doesn’t seem right, you should always trust your gut feeling. Thanks to technology, you can head onto the internet and do additional research into the attorney to check whether they have the right credentials and experience to help you. There are a whole host of injury attorneys in New York to pick from, so it’s best to keep your options open, rather than picking the first one you see.
Being a victim of any personal injury can take its toll on your health and wellbeing. Regardless of the circumstances, the guide above should help you find a reputable personal injury lawyer who will be by your side from start to finish and maximize the amount of compensation you receive.