You’ve seen it on all the commercials: Call now for a free consultation! But there might be something holding you back from making a call that can provide great benefits. It can be intimidating to initiate contact with an attorney. The processes and terms used are generally unknown to people that haven’t gone to law school.
But it doesn’t need to be intimidating. Attorneys are here to help you, especially after a traumatic experience like a car wreck. We wanted to thoroughly explain this phrase you hear time and again so you don’t hesitate the next time you need an attorney.
So, what is a free consultation with a law firm in Nashville and Bowling Green like Bart Durham Injury Law? What should you expect? And how can you prepare?
The Consultation
Think of the consultation as an interview. It is a meeting between yourself and a representative from the law firm to go over the details of your proposed case. In one way, the law firm is interviewing you to see how viable your case would be should they choose to take it on. In another way, you are interviewing the law firm to make sure they are the right fit for your needs as you move forward with your case.
As the title implies, this consultation is free of charge. But you should understand that an attorney generally charges by the hour and their time is valuable. Taking the time to meet with you is important to their law firm because their livelihood depends on cases like yours. Be comforted by the fact that this meeting is mutually beneficial.
What to Expect
Whatever it is that convinced you to seek out a law firm will be discussed in detail. Was it perhaps a car wreck? Or maybe you were hurt at work? Be prepared to go over the details of what happened, when it happened, and what led up to the event.
These meetings can occasionally be done over the phone or perhaps they will be in person. But either way, expect to answer a lot of questions about the specifics of your case, what proof you have to back up your claims, and what you hope to accomplish.
Likewise, you will have the opportunity to ask questions of the law firm. Don’t be shy about asking why they think they are the best place to handle your case. What experience do they have? Is there a record of successful cases? Ask the representative what their strategy would be should you decide to move forward with them. Remember, this discussion goes in both directions.
How to Prepare
The very first step is to find a law firm in Nashville and Bowling Green that you trust. Bart Durham Injury Law has helped countless people over decades to get the compensation they deserve after an accident.
Gather any evidence you have and bring it with you. Your goal is to provide as complete a picture as possible during the free consultation. This gives the attorney a better idea of what to expect should they decide to move forward with the case.
You will also want to go over the events in detail so you are clear on what happened. Try to think of any questions they might ask. This will help you answer questions from the attorney.
You also want to have your questions ready. As we said above, this discussion goes in both directions. Why are they the law firm to best represent you? How will they get you the results you want?
What About Fees?
The initial consultation will be free, but there will be fees should the process move forward. Many personal injury law firms operate on a contingency basis. This means that you don’t have to pay for their services unless they win your case. Sounds great, right? Well, this is why attorneys need to be careful about which cases they decide to take on. Their time is valuable and they want to give themselves the best chance at getting a positive return.
Will the Attorney Take Your Case?
Every law firm and every case is different. There are a lot of reasons an attorney might decide to take a case or pass on it. As we said, they want to work on cases they believe they can win. Otherwise they won’t be paid for their time.
You can give yourself the best chance at working with an attorney by properly preparing for your consultation. Have your evidence ready. Understand your situation and provide clear details. Attorneys won’t take every case brought to them, but they will need to take some of them in order for the law firm to continue operating. You could very easily be one of those cases.
Who to Call
Bart Durham Injury Law is a law firm located in both Nashville and Bowling Green. We serve Tennessee and Kentucky with a variety of services. So if you’ve been in a car wreck, injured at work, or suffered any form of pain through no fault of your own, contact us today for your free consultation.
