Most people do not know what to do after an accident. They are usually dealing with pain, medical appointments, missed work, sudden debt or the loss of a loved one. Many of our clients are also uncertain about whether they even have a personal injury case.
That is one reason why we offer free consultations. A free consultation gives you a chance to speak with a personal injury lawyer, explain what happened, and learn what options may be available. In this guide, Hilda Sibrian explains what you can expect during your first call, and your first consultation.
What Is a Free Personal Injury Consultation?
A consultation is an initial conversation with a lawyer or legal team about your accident, and injuries to determine the viability of your claim. You do not have to pay to discuss your situation, and you do not have to commit to hiring the firm before getting basic guidance.
During the consultation, the legal team may ask questions about:
- How the accident happened
- When and where it happened
- Who may have been involved
- If you were able to establish any witnesses
- What injuries you suffered
- Whether you received medical treatment
- Whether an insurance company has contacted you
- Whether police, EMS, or another agency responded
The consultation is not a trial or interrogation. It is a conversation designed to help the lawyer understand the facts and help you understand what may come next. For many people, this can be one of the most difficult part of their case.
You Will Be Asked About the Accident
One of the first things the legal team will want to know is what happened. You should be prepared to explain the accident in your own words. This may include details such as the date, location, weather conditions, traffic conditions (if the accident involves a vehicle), the names of people involved, and whether there were witnesses.
For example, in a car accident case, the lawyer or intake team may ask whether the other driver ran a red light, rear-ended your vehicle, changed lanes unsafely, appeared distracted, or admitted fault at the scene. In a refinery accident case, you may be asked whether you had safety training, common procedures, the type of equipment you were issued, and what happened on the day of the accident.
The goal is to identify who all may be legally responsible and what evidence may be needed to support your claim.
You Will Be Asked About Your Injuries and Medical Treatment
Your injuries, or lost loved one, are the center of your injury claim. In order to claim compensation from liable parties, you will need to prove that you were severely injured and that those injuries:
- Resulted in medical bills
- Stopped you from working or reduced your ability to do so
- Stopped you from enjoying life to a signficant degree.
For more information on this last point, read our article on economic vs. non-economic damages.
During the consultation, the lawyer may ask what symptoms you are experiencing and whether you have already seen a doctor.
This may include questions about:
- Emergency room visits
- Ambulance transport
- Follow-up appointments
- Chiropractic care
- Physical therapy
- Surgery recommendations
- Diagnostic testing, such as X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans
- Pain, mobility issues, or long-term limitations
If you have not yet received medical treatment, you should still be honest about your symptoms. The first thing any competent lawyer will tell you to do is to receive an examination. They may provide a list of questions to ask your doctor as well. A lawyer may explain why medical documentation can be important and why delays in treatment may create problems in a personal injury claim.
You May Be Asked About Insurance
Insurance plays a major role in most personal injury cases. During your consultation, the legal team may ask whether you have spoken with any insurance adjusters, given a recorded statement, received a settlement offer, or signed any documents.
This is important because insurance companies often contact injured people early, sometimes before they become aware of the full extent of their injuries. Companies are often quick to offer an incomplete settlement that does not account for future medical treatment, lost wages, pain, or other long-term effects.
If an insurance company has already contacted you, let the lawyer know what was said and whether you provided any written or recorded statement – and most importantly if you signed anything. Signing a document does not automatically exclude you from a personal injury case, but it will make it much more difficult to find a lawyer willing to support you.
What Should You Bring to a Free Consultation?
You do not need to have every document ready before calling a personal injury lawyer. However, there are a few things you can do to prepare.
- Work out a statement to consolidate a brief summary of your case. This statement should include some of the topics we’ve covered on this page, including how you or your loved one were injured and to what extent, when it happened, and what you’ve done for treatment.
- Have certain records availabile, like photos of your injury, police or crash reports, medical records, messages or pay stubs showing proof of missed work.
Helpful documents may include:
- Police report or crash report
- Photos or videos from the accident scene
- Photos of injuries or property damage
- Medical records or discharge papers
- Insurance letters or claim numbers
- Contact information for witnesses
- Vehicle repair estimates
- Pay stubs or proof of missed work
- Any messages from the other party or insurance company
If you do not have these documents, you can still request a consultation. We also recognize that many people are distraught when they call about their case – this is completely normal. And don’t worry if you feel underprepared when you call – sometimes it takes a few calls to get all of the details we need from our clients.
The Team May Explain Whether You Have a Case
After learning more about the accident and your injuries, our team may be able to explain whether your situation appears to involve a potential personal injury claim. However, firms cannot provide for your case without entering into a client agreement.
Generally, your case depends on the following:
- Did someone else act carelessly or wrongfully?
- Did that conduct cause an accident or injury?
- Did you suffer damages, such as medical bills, lost income, pain, or other losses?
- Is there available evidence or insurance coverage?
Not every accident automatically becomes a personal injury case. In some cases, potential clients sign away their rights to sue; in others, a worker’s injuries may be included under a worker’s compensation agreement. A free consultation helps determine whether there may be a valid claim and what obstacles may need to be addressed.
What About the Value of Your Claim
Many injured people want to know what their case is worth. During an initial consultation, a lawyer may be able to explain the factors that affect case value, but it is usually too early to give an exact number.
Be extremely cautious if anyone promises a specific settlement amount before reviewing your specific evidence, medical records, and insurance information. A reliable evaluation takes time, and some clients may not receive a reliable ballpark number until months into their case.
You Can Ask Questions Too
A free consultation is also your opportunity to ask questions. You should feel comfortable asking about the process, the firm, and what may happen next. Remember: working with a lawyer is a partnership. The lawyer will be a large part of your life for months or years – you want to make sure that the firm you’re working with is responsive, has good reviews, and is a good fit for you specifically. You can also check out their blog and website – good lawyers don’t gatekeep information. For more information about how to find the right personal injury lawyer, read our article here.
The following are some of the most common questions we hear during consultations:
- Do I have a personal injury case?
- Should I talk to the insurance company?
- What happens if I was partly at fault?
- How long will my case take?
- What if I cannot afford medical treatment?
- What damages may be available?
- How does the attorney fee work?
- What should I avoid doing after the accident?
A good consultation should leave you with a clearer understanding of your options, even if the case cannot be fully evaluated right away.
You Should Learn How Attorney Fees Work
Most personal injury firms handle cases on a contingency fee basis. This means the client does not pay attorney fees upfront. Instead, the attorney fee is typically taken from the recovery if the case is successful.
During the consultation, the legal team should explain how fees and case expenses work before you sign any agreement. You should understand what the firm charges, when fees are owed, and what happens if there is no recovery.
Consultations Are For Getting Information
A free consultation does not force you to hire the lawyer. It gives you information so you can make a decision.
Before hiring a personal injury lawyer, you should feel that the firm understands your situation, communicates clearly, and is prepared to protect your interests. You should also understand the attorney-client agreement before signing it.
What Happens After the Consultation?
If the firm accepts your case and you decide to move forward, the next steps may include signing representation documents and an beginning investigation into the accident and liability.
Depending on the case, the legal team may begin working to obtain:
- Accident reports
- Medical records
- Insurance information
- Witness statements
- Photos and videos
- Employment or wage records
- Vehicle damage documentation
- Expert evaluations, when needed
The exact process depends on the type of accident and the facts of the case.
Why a Free Consultation Matters
A free consultation can help protect you from mistakes early in the process. After an accident, it may be risky to give recorded statements, accept quick settlement offers, ignore medical symptoms, or assume the insurance company will explain all available options.
Speaking with a personal injury lawyer can help you understand your rights before making decisions that may affect your claim.
Speak With a Personal Injury Lawyer
If you were injured in an accident, you do not have to figure out the legal process alone. A free consultation can help you understand whether you may have a claim, what evidence may be important, and what steps to take next without putting yourself at financial risk.
Hilda Sibrian has offered free consultations to the residents of Houston and the whole of Texas for over 22 years. If you or someone you love was injured in a truck or car crash, at work, or in a refinery accident, call the Law Offices of Hilda Sibrian today for a free consultation. The Law Offices of Hilda Sibrian serve all of Houston and Texas, including Sugar Land, Missouri City, La Porte, Beaumont, Pasadena, The Woodlands, The Heights, Bellaire, Kingwood, Baytown and of course Houston proper.
Call our office today for a free consultation, or fill out our online contact form.
