What Does It Mean When Law Firms Offer A Free Consultation?
If you have been injured through no fault of your own, taking legal action may be the best way to seek compensation. Whether your injury is the result of a car accident, medical malpractice, or slip and fall, having an experienced attorney represent you can be very beneficial.
Many people who are considering hiring an attorney have concerns about the costs. The good news is that most personal injury attorneys offer a free consultation. This consultation can provide you with important information about your rights and determine the right legal approach for you. Below is an overview of what to expect during a free consultation with a lawyer.
What is a Free Legal Consultation?
A free legal consultation is an initial meeting with an attorney that allows you to discuss your issue and their thoughts on how they would approach your case before you decide to hire them to represent you.
The attorney will also use the consultation to determine if they can legally and competently represent you based on the information that you have provided. He will ask several questions about your case, such as how your injuries happened, details about the damages you suffered, and who you think is at fault. Once the attorney has an understanding of your case, he will let you know what your legal options are, your prospects of success in achieving your goals, and what to expect if representation occurs.
It is important to note that an initial legal consultation does not mean that the attorney is officially representing you or has taken your case. In order for an attorney to legally represent you, there must be a written representation agreement signed by both you and the attorney.
Preparing for Legal Consultation
Before you have a free consultation with an attorney, you should make sure that you're appropriately prepared by gathering any and all documents that are relevant to your case. It is important to bring every document you have for the attorney to review, as they will be able to determine which documents are pertinent. Documents you should bring with you may include any of the following:
Accident or Police Reports: If an accident or police report was created as a result of the incident you were involved in, you should bring that to your legal consultation.
Medical Documentation: If your case involves medical malpractice, it is important to bring doctor's notes or prescriptions, emergency room reports, medical bills, and invoices.
Contracts: For claims that arise from a contract dispute, you should bring documents that are relevant to the contract, including copies of the contract.
Other Documents: Other important documents to bring include any evidence of damages like warranties, expenses, lost wages, and any correspondence between the parties.
One of the goals of a free legal consultation is for you to find the right attorney for your case. Before your initial meeting, write down any questions that you have so that you don't forget to ask something important. Here are some questions you can ask before hiring an attorney to ensure you are choosing the right advocate for your case:
How long is this personal injury case likely to take?
What might I recover, or what range of compensation I can expect?
What other types of evidence would be useful in my case?
What will my claim cost me?
What type of personal injury law do you practice?
How many cases have you handled that were similar to mine?
Who will be working on my case? How will we communicate and how often?
Will you be able to take my case to trial if necessary?
Getting answers to questions like these will help you determine the attorney's competency and if he is suited to represent you.
Consultations and Confidentiality
A consultation works best if you are open and candid about the facts of your case. You should share all details about your situation and avoid any dishonesty or embellishments. In order for an attorney to effectively evaluate your case and represent you, they need to be aware of all details about the case.
Even if the attorney may not be officially representing you, legal consultations are always privileged and confidential. Anything shared during the consultation will not be discussed with others.
Schedule a Free Legal Consultation Today
At HHP Law Group, our personal injury attorneys will take time to truly listen and get to know you to better understand your case and answer your questions. Your consultation with HHP Law Group is free of charge. If we represent you in your case, it is possible we will take your case on a contingency basis. This means that the attorney fees are a percentage of any recovery by way of settlement or trial verdict. Additionally, the costs to pursue the matter (third party expenses, filing fees, etc.) are advanced by the law firm to be repaid at the time of recovery.
Call us today at 803-400-8277 to set up a consultation or visit our contact us page to fill out a form and have our team reach out to you.