- October 8, 2024
- Tucker Law
- Personal Injury Lawsuits
Imagine you’re riding your bicycle through your neighborhood and a car runs right through a stop sign and hits you, leaving you with broken bones and a destroyed bike. As you’re taken to the hospital, two worries may be at the front of your mind: how you’ll be able to pay for the care you need and whether you’ll be able to keep working while you recover. You may think you have a strong personal injury claim, but you don’t know if it’s a good idea to hire a lawyer. After all, don’t they charge upfront fees? Even a consultation could be expensive.
That’s a misconception that many have about personal injury lawyers. Unfortunately, it can keep lots of people in need from getting the help they deserve. Reputable personal injury attorneys will never charge upfront fees. They’ll even offer free consultations so that you can get the guidance you need when you need it.
At Tucker Lawyers, we’re proud to offer free consultations to all of our potential clients. Learn more about what you can expect from this vital first meeting.
Contact our team of personal injury lawyers by calling us at (516) 399-2364.
1. Free Means Free
You Have No Obligations
When you go to your first consultation with a personal injury lawyer, whether you’ve been in a car accident, slip-and-fall accident, or any other type of incident that resulted in injuries, you can expect not to pay anything for the first visit. You shouldn’t feel pressured into hiring that law firm, and you shouldn’t be afraid to ask lots of questions. This is, essentially, an opportunity to get your claim reviewed for free.
The lawyer should give you their thoughts on the case and provide some options for your next steps. If you feel pressured at any point, you have the right to thank the lawyer for their time and move on.
2. You Should Ask About Experience
A free consultation can be the right time to ask about the types of cases the lawyer has handled and the kind of results they’ve achieved. It’s not enough for the lawyer to practice personal injury law; they should have experience with cases like yours. If you’ve been injured by an aggressive dog and the lawyer has only worked on slip-and-fall and car accident claims, they probably don’t have the skills you’re looking for.
You can make this part easier, too, by doing a bit of research into the lawyers in New York who represent clients like you. For example, a law firm’s website might list the practice areas it focuses on and even provide information about previous successful cases. This step can save you and the attorney a lot of time.
Our decades of experience have helped us succeed in winning millions of dollars for our clients.
3. Be Ready to Share Your Side of the Story
You won’t be the only one asking questions during your free consultation. Your potential lawyer will also want to know some details about the accident that led to your injuries, so be ready to share what happened. Before the consultation, you might take some notes about the accident in order to keep it clear in your mind. This information helps your lawyer understand what legal theories may be at play and what type of claim you can pursue. After all, a personal injury claim based on negligence can be very different from one based on strict liability.
When it comes to car accidents, it’s especially important to provide lots of information. That’s because New York has no-fault laws that you can step out of only if you’ve suffered losses that go beyond your personal injury protection insurance coverage. The more information you give your lawyer, the better they can guide you.
4. Prepare for the Consultation
You can save a lot of time by bringing some documents to your free consultation. Your lawyer may need these to get a sense of how the accident occurred and what losses you’ve suffered because of it. Some of the things to consider bringing to the consultation include:
- Medical records
- Police reports
- A list of witnesses
- Evidence of missing work
- Photographs of your injuries
- Insurance information
- A list of expenses and financial losses.
However, you shouldn’t delay your consultation because you’re missing a document or two. Even if you don’t have all of this information, schedule your meeting anyway. After a lawyer takes your case, they can help you gather the rest of the documents you need. And if you’re not sure about what to bring, don’t stress over it — just bring what makes sense to you.
5. You Can Ask About Fees
Some people are self-conscious when talking about fees. However, you need to have this information clearly spelled out, so don’t leave the consultation without asking about it. Most reputable personal injury lawyers never charge upfront fees. They work on contingency and get paid only if you do.
Even so, not all lawyers charge the same percentage for their fees. Asking for this information at your first consultation can save you a lot of stress and hassle later on.
6. It’s Okay if You’re Not a Match
Just because you go to a free consultation with a lawyer doesn’t mean that you’ll be hiring that person. Your personalities may not mesh, or the attorney’s view of your case may not fully align with yours. That’s fine. You want to feel comfortable with the person who represents you. They need to listen to your story and be compassionate about what you’ve been through.
That doesn’t mean you should look for a lawyer who promises to win your case and get you millions of dollars in compensation. The right lawyer will never make guarantees beyond assuring you that they will do everything they can to win your claim. If they’re practically saying you’ll be rich in a few months, choose another lawyer.
Look for an attorney who will be honest about what you can expect, and who will give you a clear idea of what the claims process is like. Having all of this information will allow you to prepare mentally for the negotiations ahead.
7. Know What to Expect From the Law Firm
If you’re thinking about hiring a lawyer who’s part of a larger law firm, you want to know what to expect from the firm regarding communications, paperwork, and other practical details.
The size of the law firm can be crucial, as well. If you see that there are a lot of clients but only a few lawyers, you may not get the individualized attention your claim needs. You also don’t want to hire a firm that only has one or two clients; that might mean the lawyers don’t have enough experience to handle your claim. Instead, look for a firm that has a good number of clients but not so many that the lawyers are overwhelmed. You can ask about all of this during your consultation.
Bonus Tip: Your Discussion Is Confidential, So Don’t Hesitate to Be Honest
From the moment you walk into the lawyer’s office, your conversation is protected. The lawyer cannot divulge anything you say, even if you decide not to hire them. This is a chance to be completely honest about the accident, your injuries, and anything else you may be hesitant to speak about. Your attorney must be aware of all of the facts in order to represent you effectively, and an experienced lawyer shouldn’t judge you for any mistakes you’ve made.
Contact Tucker Lawyers to Schedule Your Free Consultation
Get the Representation You Deserve After an Accident
Often, people hesitate to rely on experienced personal injury lawyers out of fear that their claim isn’t viable or that they can’t afford legal fees. At Tucker Lawyers, we believe that it’s worth it to book a free consultation with a lawyer. This small step could lead to your receiving the assistance you deserve.
We’re ready to take on tough negotiations with insurers, and if they don’t offer a fair settlement, we can take your claim to court. With us, you never have to worry about upfront fees and you’ll always get a free consultation so you can receive the answers you need. If you’re on the fence about pursuing a personal injury claim, let us put you at ease. All it takes is a call.
Schedule your free consultation by contacting us at (516) 399-2364.
Managing Attorney John. J. Tucker, Esq.
John has personally handled thousands of clients who were victims of another’s negligence and fights relentlessly for their rights. John enjoys bringing closure to a client’s matter so that the injured party can move forward with their life. His background enables him to evaluate complex liability related claims and bring resolution to claims in a record time frame. [ Attorney Bio ]