When you’ve been injured in an accident, it’s normal to feel anxious. You want to get back the life you had before the incident, and you want to hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
But when it comes time to meet with a personal injury lawyer, some people feel overwhelmed or unprepared—and that’s okay!
Below are some ways that we can help ensure that your first meeting is a good one:
1. Create a List of Questions
Make sure you ask about your specific case. For example, you may have been injured in a car accident, but there are many types of car accidents and every type has different rules.
You should be sure to ask about the specifics of your case so that you can understand what to expect from the lawyer’s advice and services.
Ask about the legal process itself and how it works. This will help you know what might happen next after meeting with the lawyer.
It can also be helpful if he or she is able to give some examples based on their experience working with other clients in similar situations as yours.
2. Do Your Research
Start by researching the lawyer, firm and staff. You can do this by checking out their website.
If they have one, it should be well-designed and easy to navigate. It should also list their experience, any awards they’ve won, and any specialties they have (such as handling injury cases).
For example, check out JT Legal Group’s website. Theirs fits all the criteria.
Ask friends and family for recommendations. Word of mouth is a great way to find a qualified attorney, especially if your friend or family member has been in a similar situation before.
They may know someone who helped them through their case from start to finish with no problems.
In addition, you can check whether the attorney has an active license with your state’s bar association: just Google “[your state] bar association” followed by “lawyers.”
3. Journal It
Before meeting with the lawyer, write down your thoughts and feelings about the process.
You may be anxious about meeting with the lawyer, worried about how he or she will treat you and your case, concerned about whether or not it’s going to cost too much money and more.
Take time to really think through these concerns because they may have a big impact on how well you can communicate with your attorney.
Learn more about the journaling process here.
4. Prepare Well
In order to ensure a smooth meeting, you should prepare for your appointment with your lawyer.
This means being prepared to answer questions about the accident and being ready to bring any relevant documents.
It’s important that every question is answered completely and accurately so that there are no miscommunications between yourself and the lawyer.
Additionally, having all of your medical bills in one place can help prove how much money was spent due to injuries sustained during an accident.
5. It’s Their Job to Help You
It’s natural to feel nervous when meeting with a personal injury lawyer. After all, you are an injured person wondering if you should pursue justice or not and the thought of working with a lawyer can be frightening.
However, the reality is that lawyers want to assist people who have been injured by others so much so that they will often provide free consultations for those who need help with their legal issues.
If your injuries are serious enough, working with a lawyer could be beneficial in getting the compensation that you deserve
6. Your Entitled to Compensation
If you’re injured in a car accident, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will cover all of your medical bills. In fact, they’ll pay for any expenses related to your injuries and lost wages.
They even have to pay you for pain and suffering if their negligence caused your injury.
So don’t feel bad about enlisting the aid of a good personal injury lawyer. You deserve compensation.
7. They Know What They Are Doing
A personal injury law firm with years of experience will have handled thousands of cases like yours, so they know exactly what to expect.
They will also have an established network of other professionals they trust to help resolve your case, and they will likely be able to refer you to doctors and therapists who work well with their clients.
These connections are important because often times, insurance companies or lawyers make it difficult for people injured in car accidents or on the job sites get access to quality medical care.
Conclusion
It’s understandable to feel nervous when meeting with a personal injury lawyer. But don’t let your anxieties get in the way of getting proper compensation for your injuries and losses.
The best way to overcome them is by preparing as much as possible before your appointment and trusting the process.
