If you were recently involved in a motor vehicle collision, it’s important that you get in touch with an auto accident attorney as soon as you can. If you wait too long, it could be difficult for the legal team to gather all the information that they need to build a strong case for you and get you the optimal compensation that you deserve.
There are many auto accident lawyers in the St. Louis area who offer free consultations. A consultation is a meeting you have with a lawyer who may be the one to handle your case. You have no obligation to hire the lawyer just because you had a consultation with them. Just think of it as an interview process that allows you to find the best car accident lawyer to handle your case.
Here are a few things that you can expect from your free consultation with an auto accident attorney.
You Will Need to Give a Detailed Statement About the Accident
Be prepared to share all the details about the accident so that the lawyer has all the facts about your case. You should tell the lawyer anything that you feel is relevant to the claim. Don’t be afraid to ask something that you feel may be unimportant. It is better to contribute everything you can to your case rather than to hold back vital information. The lawyer will want to know what exactly happened during the car accident, and what type of harm or injury occurred as a result.
Bring Along Any Documents or Records
You can bring along documents, statements, insurance information, the police report, and any photos that you may have taken at the crash site. These details will provide the collision attorneys that you meet with evidence of your claim. This information will give the lawyer an accurate look at what happened before, during and after the crash. The more information that they have, the better off you will be.
Some examples of documentation that you can bring to your consultation include:
- Photographs of the accident and injuries
- Doctor’s notes and Emergency Room notes
- Car and Health insurance information
- Self-taken notes regarding your injury
- Any X-Ray or MRI results you may have
- Citations or tickets from the police
- Accident reports
- Police investigation notes
- Information about the other driver involved in the accident as well as information about the property where the crash occurred if there was any damage
The Duration of the Consultation Depends on the Complexity of your Case
If you were involved in a fender bender or car accident that caused minimal injuries, your consultation would not take very long. You will get straightforward answers from the attorney since they have likely handled a significant number of similar cases.
However, if your crash was more complex, such as totaling your car, involving serious bodily injuries, or the other driver is causing problems after the collision, your consultation may take more time. If you still have questions and the attorney seems to be rushing you along, this could be a sign to look for other auto accident lawyers in the St. Louis Missouri area. A lawyer that truly wants to help you win your case will take all the time that is needed during your consultation.
Ask Any Questions You Have About the Claim
Even if you have questions that do not seem relevant to your case, ask them. The lawyer is experienced and can inform you on everything you need to know about your case. You should write down all the questions that you have so that you don’t forget anything. Getting answers to your questions is one of the main reasons for the consultation with an auto accident lawyer.
Some things you may want to ask to include finding out how your medical bills will be paid, and how much the insurance company will pay for damages. Asking questions will also help you to determine if the attorney you’re meeting with is the right one to handle your case. If they have a lot of knowledge about auto accident cases, they will provide you with informative answers.
Use The Opportunity to Get to Know the Attorney
The difference in attorneys is just like car accidents: no two are the same. You may have a consultation with an experienced auto accident lawyer, however, if they don’t work with auto accident cases as much as they work on other areas of personal injury, they may not be a good match. Be sure you are comfortable with the attorney that you retain, and choose one who you believe cares about your situation.
Meeting with a lawyer for the first time may be an overwhelming experience for some people. You might not know what to say or what information you should provide. When contacting an experienced lawyer in the St. Louis, Missouri, be sure to refer to these helpful tips to guide you through the claim process. Walton Telken Injury Attorneys can give you the help you need. Remember that your lawyer is here to help you get the most out of your case. If you ask plenty of questions and provide them with all the details of the crash, you should end up with positive results. Call today to schedule a free consultation with the skilled lawyers at Walton Telken Injury Attorneys.
