- Car Accidents
Founder of Wade Law and expert trial attorney with experience in the courts and in the classroom, lecturing in several courses. Admitted to all of Georgia’s courts and the United States Supreme Court
With so many commercials on television these days, most people are aware that they get a free initial consultation with their accident attorney. The problem is these commercials make all sorts of promises that aren’t fair. An attorney, usually a partner in the firm, boasts about how much money they’ve gotten for their clients. They tell their audience that they’re the best car accident lawyer in Fayetteville, Georgia. What they don’t explain to you is how that free, initial consultation actually works.
The whole point of meeting with a potential Fayetteville car accident lawyer is so you can decide if you want to hire them. But it’s also a chance for the lawyer to decide if they want to represent you. There are no promises made during this first meeting. It’s sort of a “get to know you” opportunity. If, after meeting with your prospective lawyer, you decide to retain their services, then they’ll take over your case. To increase your chances of finding a car accident lawyer in Fayetteville that’s willing to represent you, there are a few things you need to know. Here, we’ll discuss how a free consultation works. We’ll also give you an idea of what sort of information you should bring with you to this initial meeting.
Why Do Fayetteville Car Accident Lawyers Offer a Free Consultation?
While we touched on it a bit in the beginning of this article, it’s important to understand why Fayetteville car accident lawyers offer their clients a free consultation. No attorney worth their salt is going to accept a case sight unseen. They need to review your case and see what sort of evidence you have. They also need to ensure that there are no potential conflicts of interest involved. For example, if the insurance adjustor handing your claim is the attorney’s brother-in-law, they won’t be able to accept your case.
The real reason lawyers offer their prospective clients a free consultation is to give both sides an opportunity to feel each other out. It’s kind of like a job interview or a first date. If you and the attorney think it’s a good fit, they may offer to represent you. But you have a decision to make too. If you don’t think the Fayetteville car accident attorney you meet with, you have no obligation to hire them. You can either look for a different lawyer or handle the case on your own.
Your Fayetteville Car Accident Lawyer Will Need You to Bring Certain Information to Your First Meeting
We said that your initial consultation with a Fayetteville car accident lawyer is similar to a job interview. And, just as you would in a job interview, you’ll want to bring certain information with you to that first meeting. The only difference is that, instead of brining a resume, you’ll bring a copy of your police report. And, instead of asking what your salary might be, you’ll be asking what your case may be worth.
For your Fayetteville accident attorney to properly review your case, they’ll need certain information. This includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Copies of the police report, incident report or accident report
- Copies of any correspondence you’ve received from the defendant, their lawyer or their insurance company
- Pictures of the accident scene
- Contact information for any eyewitnesses
- A copy of your medical records, if available
- Pictures of your injuries if possible
The more information you bring with you to that first meeting, the better evaluation your attorney can provide. You can even send some of this information ahead of time. Ask for your lawyer’s email address or fax number so you can forward this documentation a day or so before your meeting. This way, your lawyer has time to read all of this information prior to sitting down to discuss your case.
Contact a Seasoned Fayetteville Car Accident Attorney Right Away
If you or a family member are injured in a motor vehicle accident, you may have a claim fo damages. The best way to know for sure is to meet with an experienced Fayetteville car accident lawyer. You can always call and set up a date and time to meet with a seasoned accident lawyer in South Carolina. You can even meet by telephone or skype if need be. This is becoming more common, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The initial consultation is free, and you won’t pay a dime until your case is settled or resolved.
