If you’ve been injured or suffered property damage in a car accident, it’s common to feel unsure about what to do. If you are tempted to search “car accident attorney near me” or “free consultation,” follow your instincts. An experienced car accident attorney will handle your claim and offer support during this challenging time. At Gamez Law Firm, we proudly provide expert legal services to wronged individuals in the Houston and San Antonio area.
Where Can I Get a Free Consultation With a Car Accident Attorney?
Most reputable law firms offer free consultations as a way for prospective clients to meet potential attorneys and see if they wish to work with them. It is also an opportunity for the attorney to evaluate if the prospective client’s legal needs are compatible with their service. Since there are numerous practice areas in the legal world, most attorneys have a specialty.
For example, if a client needs legal representation over a property line dispute, their case would be best suited to a lawyer who practices property law. In personal injury law, free consultations also serve to inform potential clients about whether they have a valid claim from an accident or not. Since car accident injury cases are complicated, the average person will want to be sure their claim is worth pursuing before beginning the process.
Finding the Right Car Accident Attorney for You in Houston and San Antonio
Look at Experience
While all attorneys need to start somewhere, your personal injury or car accident case likely isn’t where you want a fledgling lawyer testing their wings. Instead, look for an established firm with a track record of successful cases. Don’t be afraid to ask a potential attorney about how they’ve handled cases that are similar to yours. Trustworthy car accident attorneys will be happy to answer your questions and share examples of prior cases with you.
Understand the Fees
While most personal injury and car accident lawyers offer complimentary consultations and work on contingency, some don’t. Therefore, you’ll want to ask about attorney fees and the payment structure before scheduling a consultation. By asking these questions right away, you can avoid spending time meeting an attorney that isn’t a good financial fit for your needs.
Listen to Your Gut
Since you will be communicating with your car accident attorney for the duration of your claim, the experience will be more pleasant if you choose to work with someone you like. In addition to working with them, you’ll also be sharing personal details with them regarding your health and finances. Choosing a car accident attorney you can communicate with easily will make the claims process more pleasant and make you feel comfortable during this rough time.
While some individuals prefer to work with direct, no-nonsense attorneys, others may feel more at ease with a car accident attorney who has a gentler approach. Ultimately, there’s no right or wrong regarding which personality type is better; it simply depends on your preference.
What to Bring to Your Consultation
The more prepared you are for your complimentary consultation, the more you’ll be able to get out of it. In addition, by providing your potential attorney with detailed information, you make it easier for them to help you determine if your case is worth pursuing.
Accident Details
If you haven’t already written down the details of the accident, do it as soon as possible. Although the best time to record the event is immediately after, the second best time is right now. Most people think they will remember the details of their accident, but as time passes, details will become murky.
Key details to include are the date, time, and location of the accident, as well as the road and weather conditions. You’ll also want to record how the accident transpired. If you have any videos or photographs of the accident scene, your injuries, or property damage, bring them to the consultation.
Police Report
The police report can help your car accident attorney gain a greater understanding of the event and could provide details you forget to add to your record. However, if you haven’t received the police report yet, don’t put off scheduling your consultation. Sometimes police reports can be challenging to track down; if that’s the case, the attorney will help you acquire them.
Proof of Injury
Before scheduling a consultation, you’ll want to have had your injuries seen by a medical professional. Since personal injury claims require diagnosis and supporting documentation, the more information you can provide the attorney with regarding your injuries, the more accurately they can evaluate your claim’s potential for success. If you don’t have the complete medical records of your injuries, you’ll want to have the name of the doctor you saw.
In addition, copies of any MRIs or X-rays taken and your initial diagnosis and treatment. Finally, you’ll want to tell the car accident attorney how long your care provider predicts you’ll need treatment and if you have any pre-existing injuries. Pre-existing injuries are medical issues you had before the accident; you’ll need to let the attorney know about them and whether they were impacted by the indecent.
Medical Bills
Any medical bills you’ve received should be brought to the consultation. Since you can request reimbursement for medical bills in your claim, you’ll need to keep track of all of them, even any that your health insurance provider has already covered. Providing the car accident attorney with your current bills and any projected costs your doctor has given will allow them to provide you with a more accurate estimation of the potential compensation you could receive.
Damage Inventory
Just like you’ll bring medical records and bills to confirm your injuries, you’ll want to have documentation confirming any property damage. Bring pictures of your vehicle before and after the accident, towing bills, and repair invoices. If your car was totaled in the accident, the purchase price of your vehicle and estimated current value are also information the attorney will need.
Your Questions
Throughout the days leading up to your consultation, keep a list of questions you want to ask the attorney. Most people think of questions before the consultation and assume they’ll remember them once the day arrives. Unfortunately, when the time comes to ask your questions, recalling them may be challenging, as you’ll be thinking about numerous topics relating to your claim.
By having a question list created in advance and adding to it as you go, you’ll be able to ensure you get the answers you need. For example, some common questions individuals ask are “How will communication occur between lawyer and client?” or “Who is responsible for negotiating with the insurance company?” There’s no such thing as a foolish question regarding your health and financial future, so make sure you ask.
Stop Searching “Car Accident Attorney Near Me”: Contact Gamez Law Firm
When you schedule a complimentary consultation with our firm, you will meet with one of our experienced, dedicated professionals who are ready to fight for what you deserve. If you choose us to handle your claim, you will have the peace of mind that your legal needs are entrusted to a firm committed to going the extra mile for its clients. We are assured of our ability to secure the compensation you deserve, which is why we work on a contingency basis.
At Gamez Law Firm, we know that the situation you’re dealing with is placing a significant amount of stress on you, which is why we do everything in our power to make filing a claim convenient and straightforward. If you were in a car accident near San Antonio or Houston, you don’t have to handle the aftermath alone. Contact the car accident attorneys at Gamez Law Firm today.