A car accident law firm in Virginia Beach, VA typically offers free initial consultations to people who were injured in a collision and were interested in hiring an attorney. Since these consultations usually only last 20 or 30 minutes, a person can make the appointment as advantageous as possible by preparing ahead of time.
What to Bring
It will be helpful if the person writes up a summary of what happened in the accident, treatment that has been received, and how recovery is progressing. Doing this and bringing the information along will help the individual answer any questions the lawyer asks.
An attorney with a car accident law firm in Virginia Beach, VA may also ask the potential client to bring certain types of documentation for review. Copies of medical records, medical bills, photos of the accident scene and an official accident report from law enforcement will all help the lawyer determine what a reasonable settlement offer should be.
What to Expect
During this appointment, the person finds out whether or not any settlement offer that has been received is reasonable or whether it makes sense to pursue more compensation. After discussing the details of the accident with this individual, the lawyer may offer to accept the case or may decline it.
Reasons for declining aren’t always related to the value of the case. It may not be the type of case this particular lawyer handles, for example. He or she might refer the potential client to a different attorney instead.
Another possibility is the attorney wanting some time to consider the matter further. The firm would normally inform the injured person the same day or the next day as to the decision.
The individual is under no obligation to hire the lawyer after the complimentary appointment.
If the Lawyer Accepts the Case
If the person wants to hire this firm, he or she needs to sign an agreement arranging for legal representation and accepting the fee structure. The lawyer provides information about the next steps in the process and starts work on the case.
A firm such as W. Ware Morrison Law Group provides complimentary consultations to people who have been injured in vehicle accidents and are thinking about hiring a lawyer. See the firm’s website for contact information.