When you are considering hiring a lawyer to take on your personal injury case, you can schedule what is known as an initial consultation. This gives you the chance to learn more about your legal options and the opportunity to figure out if our Queens personal injury attorneys are who you want to handle your case. If you want to make an informed decision, you need to prepare properly for this meeting. Here are some of our recommendations.
What Should I Bring to My Initial Consultation?
When you come to an initial consultation, you should bring any important paperwork and evidence along with you. This can include:
Photos from the accident scene: These can give us more information about the severity of your accident and they can sometimes shed some light on who may be at fault.
Medical bills: You will be suing for medical expenses as a part of your personal injury case, so it can be good to know just how high your medical bills have climbed as a result of your accident.
Correspondance from your doctors: If your doctor has written anything about your injuries, recovery plan, or long-term prognosis, that can be useful in a personal injury case.
Letters from insurers: If an insurance company has already reached out to you or sent you an offer, bring this along with you.
Contact info for witnesses: Anyone who saw the accident happen may be able to testify on your behalf and strengthen your case.
An incident or police report: After a car accident, police can write up a report. After a slip and fall, a store will usually make the victim fill out an incident report. If you have any documentation like this, we will want to see it.
What Questions Should I Ask at an Initial Consultation?
We’ll ask you questions about your case, but you can also ask us questions to learn more about this process and what we can do for you. Potential clients often ask things like:
- What exactly can a lawyer do for me in a personal injury case?
- How do fees and payments work?
- Will my case go to trial?
- How often do you handle cases like these?
- How often will you update me on my case?
How Long Do I Have to Sue For Damages?
Acting quickly to schedule your initial consultation is a good idea. You have a limited time to sue for damages after an accident. In many cases, New York gives you three years to pursue legal action. However, this time limit can be shorter in certain situations. You should talk to an attorney to figure out exactly how long you have to take action.
Talk to a Personal Injury Lawyer Today
If you’re ready to pursue a personal injury case, contact the Law Offices of George Poulos. We can schedule your consultation and help you learn more about your legal options and the value of your case. Whether you were hurt in a car crash, a slip and fall, or a work-related accident, we’re ready to meet with you.
