There can be much to discuss when you meet with new clients to discuss the facts of their accident cases. You want your clients to have all the facts, but you also don’t want to overwhelm them with information the first time you meet them. Discussing things in order of importance is often the best approach, and you might like to start with these crucial points below.
Evidence
Whether you work for Yegendorf law firm or another law firm, ask your client about the evidence they have to support their version of events. Bringing a case to a successful conclusion relies on strong evidence. Without it, they might not receive the settlement figure they were hoping for.
Ask if they have any photos or video footage of the accident, damage, and any injuries and whether they have police and medical reports to back up their version of events. The more documentation and details they can provide to your law firm during early meetings and interactions, the stronger their case might be.
Costs
Catastrophic accidents can be physically and mentally challenging, but they can also be financially crippling. Many people involved in accidents aren’t able to work and are also faced with expensive medical bills that can be hard to pay without income.
As a result, it can be important to talk about legal expenses before deciding to take on a new client’s case. Inform them of your payment structure and how you typically expect payments to be made. Every law firm is different, but there are various popular fee structure models to choose from, including:
- Consultation fees: An upfront fee on a flat rate basis
- Contingency fees: Paying legal fees from a settlement figure
- Flat fees: Paying a fixed fee for a standard service
- Hourly rate: A per-hour rate, typically charged in six-minute increments
- Retainer fees: A deposit toward total legal service costs
Alongside informing your client of your payment structure, ensure they have a copy of the details in a written fee agreement.
Rules for the Case
If a client has never been involved in a legal case, they may not know what to expect or how to act. Make sure they know what’s expected of them before you take on their case. For example, you might tell them not to talk about the case in detail with other people and not to provide statements or talk to insurance companies. You might also inform them of the importance of not posting things on social media, which can be used by the defense to strengthen their own case or weaken yours.
The Process
Many people who take advantage of a free consultation with a law firm have never been involved in the legal system before. They don’t know how the average accident case plays out or the steps that must be taken to reach a successful conclusion.
Don’t forget to provide this information to your client when you meet them for the first time. The more information they have about how the average case plays out, the more confident they might be in their decision to proceed with legal action.
Lawyers deal with accident cases daily, and it’s easy to forget that some clients they meet never have. By covering these essential details above, your clients might feel more confident about hiring you.
