You’ve just been in a car accident, and you need help. You search online for a lawyer near you and see that many offer free consultations. Before contacting any of them, you want to know exactly what you’re signing up for.
Many New York lawyers cost hundreds of dollars per hour. Before paying anything, you want to ensure you’re hiring the right team. A car accident lawyer consultation is crucial in seeking compensation for your injuries.
Before car accident victims hire a lawyer, they schedule a consultation. If you’re looking for the right lawyer, contact Queens’ top car accident lawyer at Elliot Ifraimoff & Associates, PC. With our experience and success rate, we’re the law firm to go to when you need a Queens car accident lawyer.
What Is the Purpose of a Consultation?
When you go into a consultation, you aren’t taking immediate action. A free consultation is simply an opportunity for an attorney to evaluate your case.
They will patiently listen as you recount the details of your story before asking any relevant questions. Finally, they’ll decide whether or not they can represent your case.
This is a chance for you to share your story. Don’t hold back; be as truthful as possible about all events and parties involved in your accident.
Assessing Your Case
The consultation will begin with a case assessment. The attorney will start by asking you about the basics of your accident: the who, what, when, where, and why.
Location is particularly important, as attorneys’ licenses limit their practice to a specific state(s). If your accident took place outside of their jurisdiction, they may not be the attorney for you.
Next, they’ll ask more in-depth questions about your personal injury claim. They may ask whether you’ve spoken to insurance representatives, what injuries you sustained and any resulting medical records, and what medical insurance you have.
Car accidents typically require serious medical treatment. Unfortunately, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that over 20 million people under 65 in the US are uninsured. The result is more out-of-pocket costs for some victims and will factor into your economic losses.
This case assessment is a large component of your car accident lawyer consultation. Details are essential.
What Should You Bring to a Consultation?
Being prepared makes all the difference during a consultation. You don’t want to show up empty-handed.
Before scheduling your consultation, gather all information and evidence you can related to your accident. You should have access to a police report, the names and contact information of all parties involved, documents proving your related expenses, medical records, and photos of the scene.
If you have trouble finding any of this, a car accident lawyer in Queens, NY, can help if they take on your case.
You can also bring a written statement of the accident from your perspective. This was a traumatic event, and having a guideline could help when speaking to a lawyer. Similarly, writing down any questions you have ensures you won’t forget them during the car accident lawyer free consultation.
What Do You Need To Share?
Any experienced lawyer will advise you to give as few details as possible when speaking to insurance companies. Offer only the most basic information.
With consultations, do the opposite. Auto accidents are complex cases. Sharing everything you can when you’re injured in a car accident helps the lawyer understand the full scope of your case before taking it on.
Share information about:
- Property damage
- Parties involved
- Possible fault on your part
- Injuries sustained
- Traffic conditions
In this case, you can never share too much. Being fully transparent with your attorney sets the foundation for a good personal injury case.
How Does the Attorney Decide To Take the Case?
At the end of your consultation, the attorney will decide whether or not they’d like to take on your vehicle accident injury case. This decision depends on various factors. They may deny your case based on things out of your control, like their workload or scope of experience.
Some attorneys simply don’t have the resources to take on certain cases. Don’t assume this is a bad thing; it just means you haven’t found the right attorney yet.
On the other hand, if the attorney decides to take on your case, it’s your turn to decide whether you’d like to hire them. This is the time to ask questions about their experience, expected outcomes, and more.
Hiring the Attorney
You want the right Queens accident lawyer for your car accident case. Don’t settle for anything less than feeling 100% confident in your decision.
On average, New York City pays $1 billion in settlement cases every year. That’s a lot of money at stake. During your car accident lawyer consultation, consider the following:
- What is the lawyer’s scope of experience?
- What is their success rate for cases like yours?
- What attorneys will be involved in your case?
- What does this attorney charge?
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Car Accident Lawyer in Queens, NY
If you need a professional car accident attorney in Queens, NY, look no further than Elliot Ifraimoff & Associates, PC. Founded in 2001, we leverage over 60 years of combined experience in every case.
We have won millions of dollars in car accident cases alone. Schedule your free consultation with our law firm today at 718-205-1010.
FAQs
What is the statute of limitations for personal injuries in New York?
The statute of limitations for personal injuries in New York is three years. You have three years from your accident to file a claim.
Is New York a no-fault state?
Yes, New York is a no-fault state. This means that even if you’re at fault for an accident, you may seek compensation through your own insurance.
What is the difference between a paid and free consultation?
The difference between a paid and free consultation is the depth of information you discuss. A paid car accident lawyer consultation will go more in-depth into your case and offer actionable advice.
