When it comes to personal injury, the intake process consists of signing up and onboarding a new client. This process usually involves gathering basic data, contact information, and other details needed to open a case, start a claim, and begin legal work. It is recommended to work with a Personal Injury Attorney who conducts a thorough intake process to help you avoid legal pitfalls and entering into a lawsuit that is not in either of your best interests.
What Info is Needed During a Law Firm’s Intake Process?
The intake process usually starts off with a questionnaire to assess the merits of the case. This questionnaire will provide the law firm with key information to help determine if a case is worth pursuing or not. However, if you’d like to speak directly to an attorney, you can usually setup a brief meeting to discuss the details of your situation prior to answering a questionnaire. The following data is what potential clients will need to begin the intake process with a law firm:
- Employment details: current or former employer, job title, dates of employment, and compensation information.
- Nature of the complaint: type of carelessness that led to your injury (premise liability, car accident, defective equipment)
- Timeline of events: dates of key incidents, formal complaints filed, relevant communications with employer
- Witnesses: names and contact information of potential witnesses to the alleged misconduct
- Documentation: list of relevant documents (x-rays, MRIs, doctor’s diagnosis, physical therapy appointments, workers’ compensation forms)
- Prior legal action: if you’ve filed previous personal injury claims, then the details of your previous case may be relevant to your new case
- Medical information: details about your medical diagnosis and treatment plan
- Social media presence: your injury may be documented online, as well as you discussing the details of your personal injury
Initial Consultation With a Personal Injury Lawyer
Most personal injury lawyers offer free initial consultations. During an initial consultation, you are under no obligation to hire the attorney or pay them a fee for their services. In the same breath, an attorney is under no obligation to represent you in your personal injury case. Before your first meeting with a potential lawyer, you should be prepared. You can present your case to a lawyer in a professional manner by:
- Jotting down the key points in your case to share with them, or give them a written copy
- Bring the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of everyone connected with the case
- Bring all papers related to the case as they might be helpful for the lawyer to review
- Prepare questions for the lawyer such as:
- Have they handled similar cases to yours?
- Did they settle or go to trial?
- How many clients have they represented in court?
- How many trial cases have they won?
The more prepared you are, the better your initial consultation will be. Be aware, that if a lawyer is unprepared to answer your questions or makes bold promises about the outcome of your case, then you may want to consider speaking with an experienced personal injury lawyer to help you with your claim.
Why Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
When it comes to personal injury claims, a lawyer can help you understand your legal options, as well as protect your right to compensation. If you’ve suffered injuries in an accident that was due to the careless actions of another, it is recommended to consult with an attorney, even if you were partially at fault for your injuries. Most people feel that they’re avoiding a headache by not consulting with a lawyer. The truth is, dealing with a personal injury on your own will be far more frustrating than consulting with a lawyer about your legal options. With an attorney on your side, they will:
- Identify All Liable Parties: personal injuries can involve multiple “at-fault” parties. An accident attorney will collect all liable parties and file a personal injury lawsuit against them, maximizing your chance at full, financial recovery.
- Follow Proper Legal Procedures: An experienced attorney understands the complexities of suing liable parties and the specific legal rules that must be followed. Having your lawsuit properly filed and the details of your situation perfectly outlined for the insurance adjuster will let the defense know you are aware of your rights and are prepared to exercise them through an attorney.
- Prepare for Litigation: An attorney will expedite the litigation process if no acceptable offer is made. They will prepare you for trial, handle all legal proceedings, and represent you in court.
- Allow you to focus on Recovery: Hiring a well-practiced attorney will allow you to recover, while they deal with the legal side of your case for you. Not only will this give you a better chance at compensation, but it will alleviate your stress and give you peace of mind while dealing with a very traumatic time in your life.
Contact a California Personal Injury Lawyer
You only get one chance at fair compensation after a personal injury. So, it is important you partner with a trusted personal injury law firm like Maison Law. Our dedicated team will take the time to understand both the factual and legal sides of your case. If you’ve lost confidence in your current representation, or are seeking legal advice for the first time, contact Maison Law today for a free consultation and case evaluation. There are no upfront fees for our services and you will not be charged unless we win your case.
