HIRING AN ACCIDENT ATTORNEY: THE INITIAL CONSULTATION
Your initial consultation with an accident attorney
If you have recently been in a car accident, you may need to hire an attorney. The first step for most people is to set up an initial consultation. This is a good opportunity to get to know a potential attorney so you can decide if you want them to handle your case.
What you should bring with you to a consultation:
There are a few things you can bring to an initial consultation to make sure you get the most out of your visit. First, bring any documentation you have received from police and any medical bills. If you do not have a copy of the police report, call the department who filed the report at the scene of the accident and ask how you can get a copy. Similarly, start collecting your medical bills and visitation records for treatments you paid for because of the accident.
You should also keep track of which days you had to miss work because of the accident and get documentation of the absences if possible. Additionally, take notes about the types of pain you are feeling, any emotional/ psychological effects caused by the accident or the medical treatments you received because of the accident.
Here are a few more things you should consider bringing:
- Insurance coverage information
- Copies of emails or letters between you and the insurance companies
- Photos of the accident scene and damage to the vehicle
What you should ask the accident attorney:
You should feel comfortable asking the lawyer you meet with any questions you have. It may help to write your questions down ahead of time. Before you make your appointment, it is always a good idea to ask what the attorney charges for a consultation. Whether a lawyer charges for a consultation frequently depends on what type of case you have. But, many lawyers will do an initial personal injury or car accident consultation for free.
- How much experience do you have with car accident or personal injury cases?
- What problems do you foresee me having with my claim?
- Will we need to file a lawsuit or is this something that can be settled out of court?
- How do you charge for a case like this?
- What other information do you need me to get for you?
Kirk Joyce is a general practice attorney in Northwest Arkansas who focuses on personal injury law. If you would like to meet with him to discuss a car accident claim or other case, please contact the Joyce Law Firm to schedule a consultation.
JoyceLaw Firm was founded in 2002 by Kirk Joyce. Each of the attorneys at the Joyce Law Firm focus in specific areas of law, including, but not limited to: personal injury, immigration, criminal defense, family law, and business law. Contact the Joyce Law Firm today at 479-442-5577. More about Joyce Law Firm
