After being injured in an accident, you should consider hiring a personal injury lawyer. Many people try to settle claims on their own, but find that they do not get a fair settlement from the defendant. Seek medical attention immediately after your injury, and then contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.

What to expect when meeting with a lawyer
When you first meet with an attorney, expect a detailed discussion of your case. Your attorney will ask questions first, but you should also have questions. Before your appointment, write down the questions you want to ask your attorney during the consultation . Answering the questions opens up a two-way conversation that helps you determine whether your personalities will get along or conflict.

You can also determine if your lawyer is qualified to handle your case. Not all personal injury attorneys are familiar with all areas of personal injury. For example, not all personal injury attorneys handle wage and hour discrimination cases. You will need a lawyer who is familiar with these laws, not someone who is just starting out.

What to bring with you to a meeting with an attorney
You should bring any relevant documents and a notebook to take notes. If you are served with a lawsuit, study it carefully and take it with you. If you are able to make copies, make yourself a copy – you will need to give the original to your lawyer.

Other items you should bring:

• If your lawyer gave you an initial advisory sheet to fill out, fill it out as best you can and take it with you. Make sure your text is neat and legible. The initial advisory sheet is often used to prepare the basis for a lawsuit or settlement negotiations if he or she has questions about the incident.
• If you have any evidence, such as the police report of the car accident or any medical records, take it with you.
• If you meet with a personal injury attorney, you do not need to worry about payment . The initial consultation is free, and most personal injury attorneys, including Wallace and Graham, represent you on a contingency basis – which means the attorney doesn’t get paid if you don’t win.

Statement of the circumstances of the case. This will help make sure you don’t forget to discuss any important points, and will also help you answer any questions your lawyer asks you. The outline will also help you fill out the initial consultation sheet.

What to wear to your meeting with your attorney
Always wear respectable clothing when meeting with your attorney. You should dress as if you are going to appear in court or work in an office. If all you have are jeans, they’re good if they don’t have stains on them (some jobs get all your clothes dirty), a nice top, and proper shoes. Even sneakers are good if they are clean.

Your lawyer will want to know if you can represent yourself properly if you have to go to court. The manner in which you dress is important in showing your credibility, especially in the courtroom.

Initial Consultation
Always have everything ready the day before the consultation . Get out 15 to 20 minutes early. If you are late, you are not only disrupting the attorney’s schedule, but you may also result in less time with the attorney if he or she has to leave the office for a court appearance, deposition, arbitration or other meeting with third parties . .

When you get to the office, you will have a few minutes to read your notes to add anything you thought of after you took your notes and to refresh your memory on the points you need to discuss.

Contact a personal injury attorney at Wallace & Graham as soon as possible after the accident. Even if you are still in the hospital, you should contact your attorney. If you want to take too long, you may not have enough time to try to settle the case before filing a lawsuit, and you may forget some of the facts that are important to represent you with an attorney to the best of your ability.