February 20, 2025 | Personal Injury
If someone else’s negligence was responsible for your injuries, you may have the right to pursue compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Many Atlanta personal injury lawyers offer prospective clients free consultations. Here is what you should know about these consultations:
1. You Don’t Have to Pay Anything for the Consultation
We’re taught that nothing is free in life, so you might be skeptical about the prospect of a free consultation. However, with these types of initial consultations, you do not have to pay any money. A lawyer will meet with you to discuss the situation and advise you on your legal situation. They can explain if you have a viable legal claim and what your legal options are.
2. You Are Under No Obligation to Take Further Legal Action
You don’t owe the attorney anything for their time – including hiring them to represent you. You can leave the meeting and decide not to pursue further legal action. Or, you can decide to hire a different attorney. A good personal injury lawyer will not pressure you into taking any particular action. It’s your decision how you choose to proceed with your case.
3. You Can Ask Questions About Your Case
Your free consultation is the perfect opportunity to get objective insight into your case.
You can best prepare for your initial consultation by writing down a list of questions, such as:
- Do I have a case?
- Why would I need a lawyer to help with my case?
- Who is responsible for my injuries?
- What is my case worth?
- What are my legal options?
- Will I have to go to trial?
- How long will my case take?
At this stage of the process, your lawyer may be limited to general information about your legal rights and options. More specific questions may require a more in-depth investigation than is possible during a free consultation.
4. You Can Use the Opportunity to Interview the Lawyer
Your initial consultation is also an opportune time for you to interview the lawyer to determine if they have relevant experience and may be appropriate to represent you in the personal injury matter. Not all personal injury lawyers have the same level of experience. Newly licensed attorneys may not be as familiar with personal injury cases as established attorneys with years of experience.
In addition to the general legal experience of your lawyer, you should also ask the lawyer about their experience with your particular type of case. Truck accident cases are much different than car accident cases. Medical malpractice cases require knowledge regarding the intersection between medicine and the law. It’s crucial that your lawyer has experience handling your specific type of case.
Also, ask about their track record of success and the compensation they’ve recovered for past clients.
5. You Should Be Honest
A lawyer can only give you good advice if they have all the facts. The lawyer will ask you questions about how the accident happened. You should be honest and share your perspective. If you think you might have been partially responsible, share that information.
Georgia law does not prohibit accident victims from recovering compensation for accidents they contributed to as long as they were not 50% or more at fault for the accident. However, the lawyer can explain how your comparative fault can affect your case.
6. You Should Bring Case-Related Documents
You can and should bring important documents and other evidence to your legal consultation.
This evidence might include:
- Police reports or accident reports
- Medical records
- Photos or videos of the accident
- Witness statements
- Property damage estimates
- Medical bills
- Lost wage statements and check stubs
- Letters or emails from insurance companies
- Photos and doctor notes regarding your injuries
Having this objective information can help the lawyer better advise you about your legal options and prospects for recovery.
7. The Lawyer Will Discuss Their Fees
During your case consultation, the lawyer will discuss their fee structure. Our personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee. Under this fee arrangement, you don’t pay attorney fees upfront. Instead, you get legal services now when you need them and don’t have to pay for them until you recover compensation for your claim.
If your attorney is unable to recover compensation for your case, you don’t owe attorney fees.
The lawyer should also discuss legal costs. These are additional costs you may be responsible for paying. Different lawyers handle these costs differently, so be sure you have a good understanding of how they will be addressed in your case.
8. This Is a Chance to Find Out What It Would Be Like to Work with the Lawyer
Personal injury claims can take months or longer before they are resolved, so you will be working with a lawyer for the foreseeable future. This is the perfect opportunity for you to talk with the lawyer and understand what it would be like working with them on a regular basis.
If the lawyer makes you feel small or uncomfortable, don’t hire them. This is unlikely to change after they already have your guaranteed business. Instead, work with a lawyer who shows you respect and cares about you.
9. You Can Begin the Legal Process if You Agree
If you have decided that the lawyer is the right fit for your case and the lawyer agrees to take on your case, the attorney can draw up a retainer agreement and get started on your case. The attorney can begin investigating the case, identifying the at-fault parties, and gathering evidence to support your legal claim. As your legal representative, your lawyer can handle communications with insurance companies and other parties on your behalf.
Contact our Personal Injury Lawyers at Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC for Legal Help With Your Case
If you were injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you should not have to pay the consequences. An experienced personal injury attorney can help. Many offer free consultations to all prospective clients. Schedule a free consultation to get the help you need.
If you suffered serious injuries after an accident in Atlanta, Georgia we are here for you. If you’d like to schedule a free case consultation with an experienced Atlanta personal injury attorney from Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC, please don’t hesitate to call (404) 869-8600, or you can visit our office:
Goldstein Hayes & Lina Accident Lawyers
3060 Peachtree Rd NW UNIT 1000,
Atlanta, GA 30305
(404) 869-8600
