A serious injury can happen in an instant, but it may leave the injury victim facing serious long-term adverse effects. When the injury occurred through no fault of the victim but was caused by someone else’s actions or negligence, it’s even more devastating. Although a personal injury claim against the at-fault party can’t erase the injury, it helps relieve the financial hardship caused by the injury and provides a sense of justice.
The initial consultation with a Saint Louis personal injury attorney is a critical first step toward achieving the financial accountability you deserve. Being well-prepared for a personal injury consultation helps to ensure your consultation is productive so your attorney can take prompt action on your behalf.
Gather Your Available Evidence
Your initial confidential consultation with a personal injury lawyer is free of cost. Personal injury attorneys typically use a contingency-based payment method, allowing them to represent you at no upfront cost to you. Instead, the attorney only gets paid after they’ve succeeded in recovering your compensation. During this consultation, they evaluate the merits of your claim to be certain that you have a strong case. You can prepare for this by gathering evidence such as the following:
- A police report or accident report if the injury occurred in a traffic accident or on commercial property
- Any evidence gathered after the accident, for instance, if you have any photo or video evidence, or the names and contact information of eyewitnesses
- A copy of the medical report from your injury-related treatment
- Your medical bills, invoices, and receipts
- Recent tax statements showing your income, and evidence documenting any lost workdays, such as an employer statement
Based on your evidence of how the injury occurred and your injury-related damages, the attorney will give you an idea of what you can expect in your case.
Prepare to Discuss Your Attorney’s Fees and How Contingency-Based Payment Works for You
During the initial personal injury consultation, your potential lawyer will also discuss their fees, so you know what percentage of your compensation goes to pay your legal costs. Most personal injury lawyers charge 30 to 40 percent as their payment, with this amount contingent upon recovering your compensation through a settlement or court award for your damages. Keep in mind, however, that having assertive legal representation on your side helps you recover the maximum compensation available to you, so you’re likely to end up with a higher amount of compensation than you’d achieve without an attorney, even after the attorney deducts their fee.
Discussing Your Damages During a Personal Injury Consultation
Treating serious injuries often requires painful medical procedures and lengthy recovery times, causing a temporary or permanent inability to return to work in the previous capacity. Depending on the type and severity of the injury, you could be facing lifelong disability or chronic pain. Your attorney will review your medical report and consult with medical experts while working on your case to seek the largest possible settlement from the at-fault party’s insurance company. Common damages recovered in personal injury claims include past and future medical expenses, past and future lost income, and compensation for pain and suffering. If your injury caused permanent harm, you could recover additional compensation for catastrophic injuries; for example, for loss of limb, disfigurement, blindness, or hearing loss. During your personal injury consultation, your attorney can give you an idea of what compensation could be available to you based on your damages.