What to Expect When You Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer for the First Time

After a sudden accident or injury, it’s easy to feel like life has been turned upside down. Between medical bills, time off work, insurance hassles and compounding emotional stress, many accident victims find themselves wondering where to turn and how to move forward. In many cases, the first step towards resolution and recovery is contacting a personal injury lawyer.

For some accident victims, the thought of revisiting the details of an accident or sharing personal information with a relative stranger can be daunting at best and terrifying at worst. Thankfully, experienced personal injury lawyers like those at Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers know exactly what it takes to steer clients towards success without adding unnecessarily to their already overwhelmed plates. Let’s take a closer look at what prospective clients can expect during a consultation with a personal injury lawyer and explore some of the ways an experienced attorney can help accident victims fight, win and heal.

When to contact a personal injury lawyer

If you’ve suffered an injury as the result of another person’s negligence, you should aim to contact legal representation right away. The sooner you speak with a lawyer, the better your chances of protecting your legal rights, preserving vital evidence and fast-tracking your recovery.

In Illinois, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is two years, which means every second counts when attempting to file a successful personal injury claim. Filing early is also crucial in order to ensure no important evidence is lost, destroyed or otherwise compromised due to the passage of time. Documentation of injuries, expenses, property damage, and accident conditions plays a vital role in building a strong case. Working with a lawyer to secure this information early in the process can help head off challenges and questions that may arise later in the legal process.

It’s important to note, however, that you don’t need to be 100% sure you have a case before you contact an attorney, and even if a few months have passed since your accident, you are not barred from exploring a claim. A consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney can illuminate all your available legal options and help you lay the foundation for the most viable next steps in your case.

Speaking to an attorney: Step by step

Negligence is the basis of most personal injury cases. In the state of Illinois, you may be able to file a personal injury claim against another party if you can demonstrate that:

1. The other party owed you a legal duty of reasonable care
2. The other party violated that established duty of care
3. You suffered identifiable harm in an accident
4. The harm you suffered was the direct result of the other party’s failure to exercise their duty of care

If these conditions are met in your case, you may be within your rights to file a claim for compensation against the negligent party. Subsequently, you will want to reach out to a local personal injury attorney to schedule a consultation and discuss your legal options. Here’s a step-by-step overview of the legal consultation process in personal injury cases:

Step 1: Make contact

Most personal injury law firms in Chicago offer free, no-obligation consultations. Scheduling a consultation can typically be done by phone or email, and some firms offer convenient contact forms directly on their websites. Regardless of how you make contact, the intake team will likely ask you to provide some basic information like your name, phone number and email address as well as some basic details about your accident and injuries. Everything you share during an intake conversation is confidential, even if you decide not to move forward so don’t be afraid to share as much as you feel comfortable during the conversation.

Step 2: Attend an initial consultation

During intake, a representative for your attorney’s office will work with you to schedule a formal consultation with a member of the legal team. That consultation may happen over the phone, via video call or in person, depending on personal preferences and infrastructure. This face-to-face conversation serves as an opportunity for you to speak directly with an attorney about your situation, ask questions and assess whether you may have a valid claim.

Step 3: Share your story

During your consultation, the attorney will ask you to share the details of your accident to the best of your ability. Don’t worry about using legal terms or getting every detail perfect. Your lawyer can guide the conversation and ask follow-up questions to understand the key facts and take the lead on translating everything into the appropriate “legal-ese.” Remember: communications between attorneys and their clients are always kept confidential, so you don’t have to worry about anything you share during this consultation being leveraged against you – even if you ultimately decide not to file a claim.

Step 4: Discuss your injuries

Your personal injury lawyer will need to learn more about the injuries you sustained in your accident and any treatment you underwent as a result. They might ask questions about the kinds of care you sought, the current impact of your injuries and the long-term prognosis for your healing journey. All of these details can help your attorney build a more detailed view of your case and start making determinations about possible next steps.

Step 5: Ask questions

During your consultation, the lawyer will take time to explain how personal injury claims work in Illinois. They’ll share with you what the process typically looks like, what kinds of compensation are available and what you can expect in terms of the timeline. You should also use the time to ask any and all questions you might have about the process and about the attorney’s policies and fee structures.

When all is said and done, you should walk away from your consultation with a greater understanding of the legal process and the ability to make an informed decision about whether or not you’re in the position to pursue a claim. Keep in mind that you don’t have to commit right away. There’s no pressure to sign anything during the consultation, and you are encouraged to take the time you need to process before moving forward.

How to prepare for a consultation

Lucky for you, there isn’t much preparation typically required for an initial consultation. Just show up and be honest! If you’d like to go the extra mile, however, here are a few things that can help your attorney evaluate your case more effectively during an initial consultation:

• Medical records
• Assessments from therapists, psychologists and/or psychiatrists
• Police or incident reports
• Photos or videos of the accident or your injuries
• Contact info for witnesses
• Insurance information
• A list of questions you’d like to ask

Even if you don’t have these things yet, your attorney can help you gather them later. Personal injury cases are often collaborative in nature – they work best when clients and their attorneys work hand-in-hand to build a comprehensive case.

Next steps

As we’ve discussed, there is no expectation of an immediate decision following your initial consultation. In fact, it’s often good for clients to take some time to think about what they’ve learned and do whatever they need to do to process before taking the next step in their case.

If you do decide to move forward with the attorney from your consultation, the firm will usually:

• Ask you to sign a retainer agreement outlining the contingency fee and attorney-client relationship
• Begin investigating your case
• Gather evidence and request documentation
• Take over all communications with the insurance companies
• Represent you in court (if it comes to that)

You should receive regular updates throughout the legal process, and you should never hesitate to ask questions or request clarification as things progress. The goal is to take the legal burden off your shoulders, but that doesn’t mean you should be kept in the dark!

If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, the experienced, compassionate team at Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers is standing by to offer you the clarity and support you need to move forward. We understand the unique challenges posed by fighting for your rights while navigating a healing journey, and we are here to help you make the most of a difficult situation. Give us a call today or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment, and let’s take the next step together towards getting you the justice you deserve.