Almost all personal injury law firms offer free consultations to potential clients. This helps them learn about your accident and injuries and decide if you have a valid case with no strings attached.
If someone else’s negligent actions were the direct cause of your injuries, you are entitled to receive compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering, and more. Most personal injury victims want to understand their rights and find out what, if any, legal options are available to them, both of which are topics that will be covered in your free consultation.
At the Virginia personal injury law firm of Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp, our dedicated personal injury attorneys are here to help. Call and schedule your free consultation with a member of our legal team today.
What Questions Will I Be Asked in My Free Consultation?
One purpose that a free consultation serves is to establish what your legal options are if you choose to move forward with a lawsuit. In order to do this, the attorney will need to understand the details of your accident as well as any other factors that could potentially have a bearing on your case. This means that you will be asked a lot of questions about the events surrounding your accident.
Some of the questions an attorney is most likely to ask during your free consultation include:
- When and where did your accident take place?
- Was anyone else involved? If so, who are they?
- How did the accident occur?
- What happened right before the accident?
- Were you injured in any way?
- Did you seek prompt medical attention after the accident?
- Did the doctor diagnose you with any injuries? If so, what are they?
- Have you paid or been given any hospital bills?
- Are your injuries impacting you physically or mentally? If so, how?
- Can you take care of yourself?
- Has your recovery caused you to miss work?
- Have your injuries affected your relationships with your family and close friends?
Why Does the Attorney Need All This Information?
In order for you to have a valid case, an attorney has to be able to prove that your accident and subsequent injuries were caused by another person’s negligence. The more information you can give the attorney, the easier it will be for them to make this decision, because:
- Legal cases cost the law firm money. They want to know what their chances of winning are.
- Neither a law firm nor an injured victim wants to waste time when there is no valid case
Everything you say in your free consultation is protected by attorney/client privilege, meaning it will be kept confidential. Always answer the attorney’s questions as truthfully and accurately as possible. If you omit details or stretch the truth, you aren’t just misleading the attorney and damaging your claim’s potential value, you are damaging your own credibility as well.
How Do I Prepare for My Free Consultation?
It is hard to recall important details on demand, so many accident victims jot down notes that can help jog their memories. We suggest collecting all relevant paperwork and, if you haven’t been doing so all along, taking down some notes before your free consultation so you will have them to refer to when the time comes.
Some facts that will help determine whether or not you have a case are:
- Details about the incident
- A detailed description of your injuries, the level of pain you are experiencing, and how these are impacting your daily life
- Any and all notes or other communications from your doctor, hospital emergency room staff, etc.
- MRIs, X-rays, and other diagnostic reports
- Prescription drugs you have to take
- Your auto and health insurance policies
- A copy of your police accident report
- Pictures of your injuries and the scene of the accident
- The insurance and contact information of the other party
- Proof of any citations that were issued
Can I Ask the Attorney Any Questions?
Yes, of course, you can. The idea behind a free consultation is that it is beneficial to both you and the attorney. Think of it as an interview where you are both trying to decide if the other person is a good fit for you. , this
Before your free consultation, you might be feeling anxious or nervous which could make it difficult to remember everything you wanted to ask. We suggest writing your questions down and leaving enough space to write down the answers as well. This will allow you to go back over them later, should you choose to do so.
Some of the questions most frequently asked in free consultations include:
- What are the stages of the legal process?
- How long does a case like mine usually take to resolve?
- How much is my case worth?
- Can’t I just represent myself?
- If I decide to sign with your firm, what will happen next?
- How will I be billed for your services?
- How do I pay my hospital bills while my case is ongoing?
- Is there anything I can do to strengthen my claim? Is there anything I should not do?
- Who specifically will be handling my case?
Discuss Your Case with an Experienced Attorney
At Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp, we are committed to holding negligent parties responsible when their actions injure others. We have a well-established track record of successful outcomes in personal injury cases and have recovered millions in financial compensation for injured victims across Virginia and North Carolina.
To speak with a qualified Virginia personal injury attorney, schedule your free consultation today by calling (833) 997-1774.
Related Content
- Guide to Virginia Personal Injury Law
- Personal Injury Claim FAQs
- Top 3 Things to Look for in a Personal Injury Law Firm
- Virginia Car Accident Guide