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What You Should Bring to Your Free Case Evaluation

Aug 08, 2022

What You Should Bring to Your Free Case Evaluation

what to bring for case evaluation

During your free case evaluation, a personal injury lawyer will want to learn about the cause of your injury, the extent of your injuries, how those injuries have impacted your life and whether it will be possible to prove the party who caused your injury was liable and negligent.


As such, it may be a good idea to write down exactly what happened, bring any police reports, compile receipts for medical costs or repair bills, bring diagnostic imaging results or medical records related to your accident and compile a list of witness contact info.


Why It’s Important to Be Prepared


There are a variety of factors that may lead to your case being turned down by a personal injury lawyer. These reasons include things like:


  • You were responsible for your car crash or accident


  • It will be difficult or even impossible to prove another person or business was responsible for your injuries


  • The person responsible for your injuries has no insurance or assets to pay your damages


  • Your injuries and damages are too low to make your case profitable

 

In most cases, an attorney will only take a case if they believe they can win and there are obtainable damages available. Personal injury lawyers have to pay utilities and labor costs too. If your injuries only cost you a few hundred dollars, it’s unlikely the attorney will be able to cover their own operating costs with the contingency fee they would be paid were they to win your case.


Should You Bring the Police Report or Evidence to Your Free Initial Consultation?


If your meeting is in person and you have evidence you believe shows the other party was responsible for your accident, you can bring it to an in-person consultation with your lawyer. If the personal injury attorney is on the fence about taking your case, it may help if you show them proof that your injuries were caused by the negligence of another person or business.


You might also want to provide medical records and receipts of your treatments or even pay stubs and evidence of lost wages. At some point your attorney will need to calculate your damages (medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering). Since their decision on whether to take your case may hinge on the value of those damages, it could help to bring documentation that shows your damages are considerable.

 

Be Prepared to Share Relevant Information or Evidence


One of the things you should try to do after suffering any kind of personal injury, whether it’s an auto accident, slip and fall or a dog bite, is collect contact information from witnesses. Eyewitness accounts may be invaluable if your case were to go to trial. It may also bolster your negotiating position during discussions with the insurance company on your claim. Attorneys may be more willing to take on your case if you can provide witnesses who can corroborate your version of events.


Outline Your Case Ahead of Time


Free consultations might have a time limit. Some attorneys specifically advertise a “30-minute free consultation.” Even if there’s no explicit time limit, you should go into a free consultation prepared.


A free consultation with a personal injury is not dissimilar from a job interview. You’re trying to decide whether you want to hire this attorney and the attorney is trying to decide whether they want you as a client.


You can make the best use of the allotted time and make a good first impression by being prepared. Consider outlining your case in a document. If your meeting is in person, you can print it out. If the meeting is over the phone, you can offer to email it to the attorney. In either case, you’ll want to give a brief but thorough accounting of events and what transpired afterwards.


Tell the attorney exactly what happened:


  1. Why you were driving
  2. When the accident occurred
  3. Where it occurred
  4. Exactly what happened during the crash
  5. What you did after the crash
  6. Whether the police showed up and took your statement
  7. Whether you’ve talked to the insurance company
  8. What was said to the insurance company
  9. Etc.


After you explained what happened, tell them what you’re experiencing now:


  • Are you in pain?


  • Did you see a doctor and if so, what did they say?



  • Do you have diagnostic test results showing your injury?


  • Are your injuries preventing you from working?


  • Are your injuries preventing you from doing chores around the house, caring for your family or fulfilling other obligations?


  • Are your injuries preventing you from doing the things you love (e.g., bike riding, jogging, flying kites, making papier-mâché dioramas of civil war battles, etc.)?


Having pay stubs showing your normal income and a note from your doctor explaining why your injuries are preventing you from working may also help.


Are You Ready for a Free Consultation with a Personal Injury Lawyer in Duluth?


You should also make sure you’re going into your free case evaluation with questions for the lawyer. Free consultations are a two-way street, and you want to ascertain how much they care about their clients, whether they will be a good communicator and their skill as an attorney.


Joseph Zdrilich of the Zdrilich Law Group understands that you have options for your legal representation in Duluth. He will be happy to listen to your situation, answer any questions you may have and provide an honest assessment of your case’s chances.


Call us today at (770) 931-9604 to schedule your free consultation


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