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New
Jersey Accident Lawyer Richard Greenberg, ESQ.
What to Expect During Your Initial Attorney Interview
After An Injury
During the initial interview, your lawyer will, of course,
want to hear about what happened to you and collect
a variety of information from you. The length of the
initial interview can vary a lot, depending on your
injuries. In a simple negligence case it probably won't
take too long, especially if you have prepared for the
meeting, whereas a complex case or a case involving
serious injuries could take much longer.
As you tell the lawyer
about your accident, he or she may ask questions about
it. Frequently, lawyers wait until you have told them
everything before asking questions. Some of the questions
may be difficult to hear, let alone answer. Be brave.
Your lawyer needs to know the answers to help you find
the best solution for your case. The lawyer will collect
a variety of information from you that relates to the
accident, your medical treatment, who else was involved
in the accident, potential witnesses and the like. Here's
the sort of thing you can expect:
- The lawyer may ask
you to sign medical authorizations and releases so
he or she can obtain your medical records.
- The lawyer will want
to know about all your insurance coverage.
- The lawyer will ask
if you have talked to any insurance adjustors and
if so, what you have said and whether you provided
a recorded or written statement about the accident.
- The lawyer will ask
you if anyone else has interviewed you about the accident
or your injuries, and if so, whom you talked to and
what you said.
- The lawyer may ask
you, if it's not evident by looking at you, about
the current status of your injuries, whether you are
in pain, what your prognosis is, and so forth.
- The lawyer may advise
you to see your doctor regularly if you have any physical
problems or complaints. If you don't see your doctor,
the defendant may argue that you aren't seriously
hurt as no visits tends to indicate that there are
no problems.
- The lawyer may tell
you that your case will be considered and that you
will hear later if he or she will take your case.
This is a common practice in injury cases, so don't
read anything into it.
- The lawyer may decline
to take your case. He or she may do this for many
reasons, such as his or her current case load, knowledge
of his or her capabilities, economic reasons, or family
responsibilities. You also may learn that in the lawyer's
opinion, you might not have much of a case. This is
valuable information, and it is better to know early.
By all means seek a second opinion.
- The lawyer may refer
you to another lawyer. This happens when the lawyer
cannot take your case or thinks the other lawyer can
do a better job for you.
- The lawyer may ask
you to sign a retainer agreement or employment contract.
Read the contract carefully and ask questions before
you sign it. You should be able to take the contract
home to study it before you sign.
- The lawyer will tell
you what the next steps are. There may be a factual
investigation before a lawsuit is filed. The lawyer
may be able to give you a rough estimate of how long
it will take to litigate the case.
- The lawyer will tell
you not to talk about the case with others, and to
refer questions to the lawyer. This is very important
advice. Insurance companies are known to send investigators
out to talk to your neighbors, and who knows what
they'll say? Don't let that make you paranoid, but
let it be a persuasive reason not to talk to people
about the case. Just as loose lips sink ships, stray
comments can ruin your case in the courtroom.
- The lawyer will probably
give you an idea of how he or she intends to keep
you informed of progress on your case. There is no
single approach to this. Some lawyers provide periodic
report letters; others call you on a periodic basis
or when something happens; some ask you to call when
you have questions.
Disclaimer
This publication and the information included in it
are not intended to serve as a substitute for consultation
with an attorney. Specific legal issues, concerns and
conditions always require the advice of appropriate
legal professionals.
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