500+ five star reviewsChattanooga traffic can be a nightmare. Lanes stalled for miles on end, red lights that never seem to turn green, and worst of all, being in a car crash.
Car wrecks in Chattanooga are all too common, particularly during the morning and evening commute. There are times when the crash can be handled by the insurance companies with little to no stress. Sometimes you may need a car accident lawyer depending on how severe the crash is and who is involved.
Meeting with a lawyer for the first time can be stressful but it doesn’t have to be. Here are some suggestions as to what to research and what evidence to gather before meeting with your lawyer. Following these tips will ensure that you know what to research before meeting your lawyer so you can have a successful first meeting and gain more confidence as you embark on this legal journey.
Gather Facts About Your Case Before Meeting With Your Attorney
Try to gather and present every single fact about the case that you can. Document the time and place, put together a list of who was involved, describe what the weather was like, etc. Make sure you also specify what type of accident you were involved in. For example, if your accident was a car accident, drunk driving accident, or a slip and fall accident.
Every detail you gather and present can be a detail that helps you achieve the results that you are looking for. Even if the detail seems mundane, document it, and present it to the lawyer. Researching and gathering every little detail before meeting with your lawyer will help your lawyer create a narrative about your case that can help you achieve your objective.
Have the Right Documents and Evidence Ready
Be sure to gather and research all necessary documents ahead of time. This includes gathering your insurance papers, photos of the accident, the crash report, as well as any documents you received from the towing company or mechanic.
Having all of your documentation gathered will help your lawyer build your case in your favor.
Check to See if There is Conflict of Interest
Once again, when you meet with your attorney, make sure that you have a list of people involved with the case. This list can include people who were in the accident, witnesses, or even the people who towed your car.
Everyone you met on the day of the accident or dealt with after the accident should be on this list. Bring the list and ask the lawyer if they represent anyone on it. If they represent one or more of the names on the list, this could impede their ability to represent you ethically.
If the lawyer is representing someone else involved in your case, then chances are they will not be able to help you get the justice that you are seeking.
Come Up with a Clear Objective For Filing a Claim
What is your reason for seeking legal services? What do you want to get out of this case? Presenting a clear objective during the first meeting will be of great help to the lawyer because they can then map out a course of action to help you get the result that you are looking for.
Prepare a List of Questions
Before meeting with a lawyer for the first time, it is expected that you will have a lot of questions. Before the meeting, sit down and come up with a list of the questions that have been swirling around in your mind. Some car crash-related questions can include:
- Have you worked on a case like this before?
- What will happen if I am at fault?
- What questions should I ask my insurance company?
- What are the chances that I will achieve my objective?
Coming prepared with proper questions about your case will give off a good impression to the lawyer. It shows that you are taking this case seriously and that you take the lawyer seriously as well. It will also help put you more at ease once you and the lawyer start having a conversation based on the questions.
Meeting your lawyer for the first time after being involved in a car crash in Chattanooga does not have to be a fear-inducing experience. Contact Dennis & Winningham Law if you need a lawyer. Let us fight for the justice you deserve.
