What to bring to your first meeting with a personal injury lawyer?
The
first meeting with your personal injury lawyer in Ottawa is especially important.
The injury lawyer will obtain all the relevant facts about your accident,
determine limitation periods applicable and provide you with a preliminary
opinion on your case. In some cases, there are time-periods that must be met
and the lawyer will review these as well.
To
assist the lawyer and make sure your first meeting is as effective as it can
be, you should bring:
- at least one piece of
identification
- photos of the accident
scene
- photos of your injuries
- names and contact details of
witnesses
- a police report or police
report number
- a copy of your insurance policy
(if you are looking for a lawyer after a car accident)
- medical records available
- any other documents you believe
may be related to the accident
During
the first meeting with your lawyer, it is also important to get answers to any
questions you have. It might be a good idea to write down a list of questions
so you don’t forget them.
How does retaining a personal
injury lawyer work?
At
the end of the meeting, the lawyer will ask you if you have any other questions
and whether you wish to retain them. If you do retain them, the lawyer will
explain the ways you can retain a personal injury lawyer in Ottawa. You can pay an hourly rate
in which case you would receive monthly bills to pay. Most injury lawyers will
agree to work on your case on a contingency fee basis which means that you will
be charged a percentage of the compensation you receive and only have to pay at
the end of the case when your case settles or you succeed at trial.
If
you feel comfortable with the lawyer, they will ask you to sign a contingency
fee agreement which sets out the terms of the retainer such as the percentage
the lawyer will charge, their responsibilities and your obligations. It is
important to read that retainer agreement prior to signing it.
If
you have been injured in an accident, it is important to take the time to find
a personal injury lawyer who can help you through the process. Before your
first meeting with the lawyer, try to make sure you have all the necessary
documents and information ready. At QTMG Injury Lawyers, we understand that
this process can be overwhelming and confusing. That’s why we are here to
help. Contact us today for
a free consultation and we will walk you through the entire process
step-by-step.
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