If you’ve been involved in a vehicle accident or slip and fall, the first thing to consider is a conversation with a personal injury attorney. During your initial consultation, you’ll learn about the personal injury claims process while discussing the details of your case and answering any relevant questions. This conversation will help the legal team to decide if your case has merit based on your account. Most importantly, you will discuss the next steps you will need to take to guarantee that your case proceeds as planned.
When you first speak with a personal injury attorney, they will ask you to describe the incident in your own words. Any details you can offer may help your case, even if you don’t yet understand how. The consultation length may vary depending on the law firm, but generally, the more serious the injury involved, the longer the meeting may take. After all, a malpractice case involving death will require more time to explain than a slip and fall.
Not every Tampa Bay attorney will be a good fit for every personal injury case. Prospective clients should spend some time in researching the personal injury law firms that specialize in the type of case they are involved with. You can locate the information you need by reading law directories and the firm’s website. Prepare a list of questions to ask your top choices once they are narrowed down. Compared side by side, their answers will help you to decide which attorney is the best for you.
Potential clients should consider the firm’s experience, knowledge, and track record. Some lawyers settle most of their cases out of court, while a specific few bring more of their lawsuits to court. Most importantly, a client needs to feel comfortable and confident that the attorney understands the nuances of the case, has the expertise you are seeking, and is a good match for your personality, as you could be working on your case together for months or years before its conclusion.
What Information Will You Need at the Consultation?
Because people may not understand which details of their account are important, it is recommended that the client bring all documentation and evidence to the initial consultation. An experienced personal injury attorney will understand the importance of the information you have and will sort it out based on their knowledge and expertise.
- When discussing a car accident case, bring photos from the accident’s scene, notes taken down at the time, any eyewitness accounts, insurance documents for both drivers, and reports from the police and doctors.
- When your case is the result of a slip and fall, bring the property’s report, a copy of the police report, all medical documentation, and income-related information. If the accident was caused by dangerous conditions, bring any documentation of that fact.
- If you are involved in a premises security incident, bring photos of any dangerous conditions and the police report.
Florida Statute of Limitations
Florida law clearly indicates the statute of limitations for each category of personal injury claims. Generally, a victim has between 2 and 5 years to initiate a personal injury case, but those time frames could differ based on the circumstance. Seeking an initial consultation with an attorney as soon as possible protects you from running out of time, thus prevented from getting justice or compensation.
The most essential point to remember about an initial consultation is that you are never obligated to work with that attorney just because you met with them. At Probinsky & Cole, we are confident that you will choose to work with our firm for your personal injury case based on our expertise and experience. We welcome your call.
