What to Expect During the Initial Consultation with Your Injury Lawyer

Before you hire a personal injury attorney in Miami, it’s important to meet with them for your initial consultation. During this meeting, you can determine if this attorney is right for you, build rapport, and discuss details of the case. There are some things you probably already know about preparing for this consultation and won’t need much help with. 

For example, you know to arrive promptly and dress professionally. But what else goes into an initial consultation? 

What should you ask?

Here, we discuss how best to prepare for the initial consultation to make it successful – whether your initial consult is with A to Z Injury Law

What to Bring:

Make sure you have something to take down plenty of notes, whether it be a laptop or a pad and pencil. It’s also helpful to go into the meeting with a list of questions prepared. Reviewing the attorney’s website beforehand for basic information is helpful and certainly advised, however it doesn’t provide detailed background information about the attorney. So, gather a list of detailed questions, such as:

• How many cases have you handled like mine?
• What is the average verdict you obtained in cases like mine?
• How long have you been practicing law in this county?
• Will you be the one handling my case? Will other attorneys be involved in the case?

It’s also good to know how quickly the attorney will respond to your questions throughout the case. Ask how often you will expect to hear from the attorney, and whether he/she will frequently update you on the case proceedings.

While you ask questions, this is a good time to get a sense of what the attorney is like. Is he patient with you? Does he make it seem like your time is valuable? Does he seem invested in your case? If you answer “no” to even one of these questions, you may want to consider finding another attorney to represent you.

At A to Z Injury law, we understand there are many elements involved in handling a client’s case. While our goal is to maximize our client’s recovery, we are also committed to helping with all their issues – big or small. We work to ensure our patient’s lives are easier following an accident.

During the consultation, bring copies of documents that may be relevant to the case. For example, landlord-tenant disputes are common in Miami. If you are in a dispute with your landlord, bring a copy of your lease or a demand letter for the return of your deposit. If you don’t have documents, bring other material that may be pertinent to the case. For example, if you were involved in a car accident while crossing the intersection at US 1 in the Coral Gables area, bring copies of the crash report and any pictures you may have.

Before going into the initial consultation, ask if you will be charged a fee. If there is a fee, make sure you have adequate payment to cover it. At A to Z Injury Law, we offer a free consultation and case review.

Discuss the Legal Plan

After going over the details of the case, ask the lawyer if he or she has a strategy in mind for winning your case. Find out how long before cases like yours are typically resolved, and whether there is a possibility of it going to court. Many cases can be resolved outside of the courtroom and many of them are. However, if the case does go to trial, does your attorney feel confident defending you in the courtroom?

It’s important to discuss the legal plan during your initial consultation. That way, you know whether you are on the same page or not.

Learn the Fee Structure 

You should always discuss the legal fees during the initial consultation. This is different with every lawyer. Find out if they plan to charge you by the project, on a contingency basis, or by the hour. In general, if an attorney charges you by the hour, he/she will ask for a retainer up front and then bill you hourly going forward. 

Also, find out when you will be charged: quarterly, monthly, up-front, or at the end of the case? Will there be multiple attorneys on your case? If so, will they bill you at different rates? If money is a concern, find out if there is a payment plan.  

We Can Help

Initial consultations can be stressful, but with a little preparation,  they have the potential of going smoothly.

If you need legal representation or would like to learn more about how to prepare for your consultation with one of our attorney’s contact us here. We also offer free consultations for those seeking to speak with a personal injury attorney in Miami, FL. So once you’re ready to get started give us a call at (305) 889-7964.