When you see commercials for accident attorneys in Philadelphia, they always talk about offering clients a free consultation. If you’re like most people, you’ve needed to talk to a Philadelphia injury lawyer. Unless you’ve been in an accident before, you probably haven’t had to sue anybody in your life. That’s okay. Most people have never talked to an attorney until they come into our offices. We like to offer new clients a free consultation for a few reasons.
The main reason we like to meet with clients first is that it gives us a chance to hear their story. Sometimes, it’s important to learn about what happened directly from the accident victim. Of course, we need to review the evidence. At the same time, we learn a lot more when our clients tell us their story on their own. The second reason we like to meet with a client early on is that we need to find out if the case is worth pursuing. Since we are honest with our clients, if we don’t feel it’s worth pursuing, we let them know. That’s better than getting their hopes up unnecessarily.
Finally, the initial consultation can serve as a jumping off point to working the case. Our accident attorneys in Philadelphia usually sketch out their approach after their first meeting with a new client.
One of the Most Critical Pieces of Evidence is the Police Report
When you go to meet with your Philadelphia injury lawyer, it’s a good idea to bring a copy of the police report with you. While your attorney can get a copy on their own, it’s too important to let it wait. The police report provides your accident attorney in Philadelphia with an unbiased view of what took place. It also provide your lawyer with a lot of information they otherwise would not have.
For example, once the accident scene is cleared, there is no way to get contact information for any eyewitnesses. Plus, the report may include information showing that the other driver was arrested for drunk driving or some other infraction. This would be pivotal to proving your case and getting the damages you deserve.
You Should Provide Your Philadelphia Injury Lawyer with a Copy of Your Medical Records
If possible, you’ll want to bring your Philadelphia injury lawyer a copy of your medical records. This will show your lawyer just how serious your injuries were. If there is proof that you needed surgery after the crash, this will go a long way toward proving pain and suffering damages. Also, depending on the nature and extent of your injuries, you may be entitled to reimbursement for any medical expenses. Your lawyer won’t have this information if you don’t bring it with you. The hospital isn’t going to release these records to a third party without your express, written permission.
Bring Any Correspondence You’ve Received from the Insurance Adjuster
Between the date of your car accident and your free, initial consultation, you’ll probably receive letters and emails from the insurance carrier. You’ll want to bring all correspondence of this nature to your initial meeting. This gives your accident attorney in Philadelphia a chance to see what the insurance company’s position is. If they have already denied your claim, there should be a denial letter in your pile of paperwork. This will let your attorney know what kind of uphill battle they will be fighting if they agree to represent you.
It’s a Good Idea to Bring a List of Any Questions You May Have
We always tell people to keep an ongoing list of questions they want to ask their accident attorney in Philadelphia. This way, you can jot down any notes or questions you have throughout the course of the days or weeks leading up to your consultation. If you try to think of them on the fly during your meeting, you may forget to ask important questions. You may feel like you’re under a lot of pressure during your short meeting with a Philadelphia injury lawyer. You don’t want to leave that meeting without getting the answers you need.
Your Accident Attorney in Philadelphia Will Review Your Case and Let You Know if it Has Merit
Some clients ask us why we offer accident victims a free, initial consultation. They think it’s only so that our accident attorneys in Philadelphia can decide if we want to handle a potential client’s case. And, while that is partly true, that isn’t the only reason we do it. We think it’s important that a client have a chance to meet with us and see what we have to say about their case. For most of the people we meet with, nobody has really given them any advice about their car accident. They filed their insurance claim and then were left to their own devices. The truth is that, even with minor car accidents, it’s a good idea to have a seasoned Philadelphia injury lawyer review it. We can give you an idea of how strong your case is. In some instances, we can even give you an idea of what your case may be worth.
If you’ve been involved in a car crash, you may have a potential claim for damages. The only way to know for sure is to sit down with an experienced accident attorney in Philadelphia. They can answer any questions you may have and explain how the legal process works. They will review whatever information you bring with you and give you their honest opinion about whether you have a valid claim. If your claim has merit, we will more than likely agree to represent you. If we don’t feel your case has value, we will let you know. We are always upfront and honest with your clients. Since the consultation is free, you have nothing to lose by coming into the office.