It can be hard to find the right attorney after an accident. There are many personal injury lawyers, and you need to hire one who will do the best job for your specific situation. During your free initial consultation, you will have an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the upcoming legal process. Use this time to decide if they are the best personal injury attorney for you.
What to Expect from Your Initial Consultation
Most initial consultations with personal injury lawyers are similar. If you speak directly with an attorney, you can ask them questions, and they should give you an idea of your options going forward.
Assessing the Viability of Your Claim
Although you may have been injured by someone else, not every claim is viable. There are requirements regarding the types of losses you must have to collect any damages. For example, if you only have property damage, you may not be able to collect money for pain and suffering, even if the situation was very stressful.
Additionally, there are deadlines within which a claim must be filed. In New York, most personal injury lawsuits must be filed within three years of the date on which the injuries occurred.
Your personal injury lawyer will review your claim and help you determine if it is worth pursuing. If you only have a couple hundred dollars’ worth of losses, the court costs might be more expensive than your damages.
It’s important that your attorney is truthful with you during your initial consultation so that you understand the viability and value of your claim.
What to Bring to the Meeting
To have a successful consultation, your attorney will need as much information as possible about your accident. You can bring certain items to help your personal injury lawyer understand what happened during your accident and how you should proceed.
Medical Records and Bills
Bring any medical records and bills that you have with you. Bring discharge paperwork if you went to an emergency room or hospital after your accident. If you have followed up with any specialists, physical therapists, or your primary care physician, bring treatment records from them as well.
You may not have received any medical bills yet, especially if the providers are billing your insurance company first. Once you receive bills and explanations of benefits from the insurance company, bring them to your attorney.
These documents will help your lawyer understand how badly you were hurt and how much money your claim may be worth. Medical expenses are often one of the most significant components of economic damages.
Your Insurance Information
Bring insurance policy documents from your health insurance company and any other insurance companies involved. If you were injured in a car crash, bring car insurance policies. If you have the other driver’s insurance information, bring that as well. If you were injured on someone else’s property, they should have homeowners’, renters’, or business insurance to cover your damages. Bring any information you have about these policies.
Your attorney will want to determine policy limits for all insurance involved. If you have damages over these limits, you may have to personally sue the person who caused your injuries and make an insurance claim.
Police Reports and Other Documentation
You should have called the police at the scene of your accident. There should be a police report detailing what happened and everyone involved. This document will provide a stepping stone for your attorney to put the pieces of your accident together.
If you have any other documents about your accident, bring them to your initial consultation with your personal injury attorney. For example, if you have photos, videos, or statements from eyewitnesses, they will be useful in your claim.
Notable
Results
$7,900,000 Construction Workers Injured When a Scaffold Collapsed
Plaintiffs, members of Local 79 and Local 235, respectively, were injured when they were both caused to fall when the scaffold they were standing on collapsed. Both plaintiffs sustained serious injuries to their spine requiring surgery. Plaintiffs commenced an action against the owner of the project and the general contractor alleging violations of Labor Law § 240. The defendants argued that the scaffold did not collapse and the plaintiffs’ were exaggerating their injuries. HKD was able to track down former employees who confirmed how the accident occurred and undermined the defendants’ position. The case was settled mediation by HKD partner, Jordan Hecht, for a total of $7,900,000. The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.
Read More ResultsWhat to Ask at Your Consultation
One of the best parts of an initial consultation is that you will be able to ask any questions you have about your case and the attorney. Most attorneys will give you some information about your case and the legal process even if you do not decide to hire them. You should use your consultation as a time to determine whether the attorney is right for you.
What Is the Attorney’s Experience?
You want an attorney who has experience with cases like yours. For example, if your case involved a child, you will want a child injury lawyer who understands specific New York laws involving child personal injury claims. Similarly, if you were in a crash with a semi-truck, you would need an attorney who knows how to battle the large insurance agencies used by trucking companies.
How Are Fees Charged?
Most personal injury law firms, including Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C., operate on contingency fees. That means that the amount you pay them and whether you pay them is contingent upon them helping you win your case. If you do not win, you pay them nothing. Ask your attorney how they will charge fees during the initial consultation.
What Communication Can You Expect?
Ask your attorney who you will communicate with throughout the case. Many attorneys work directly with a team of paralegals and legal assistants. Will you have a dedicated team, or will your case be thrown into a pile? Find out how to contact the attorney directly if you have legal questions. Ask for frequent updates regarding the progress of your case. While your attorney should handle stressful legal issues, they should also keep you informed.
Schedule a Consultation with an Attorney Today
If you are ready to get started with a claim, you contact a personal injury lawyer for a free initial consultation. You can ask any questions and determine how you want to proceed. Your lawyer can help you understand the value of your claim and any options you have going forward.
Call Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C. at (212) 490-5700 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation.
CLIENT REVIEWS
05/01/2015
“I cannot recommend Jon Damashek highly enough. I attribute the favorable outcome of my case to his consummate and tireless dedication and tenacity. Just as important, he was truly there with me every step of the way. He was very…
5
Mike, HKD CLIENT
05/01/2015
“I had the opportunity to work with Jon Damashek and had an amazing experience. I have known Jon for many years and always felt very comfortable relying on his expertise, knowledge of the law, and more importantly – his ability…
5
Steven, HKD CLIENT
06/05/2019
I had the opportunity of having this amazing team of lawyers work on my case. When I first met with Jordan Hecht and Michael Kusz, I really liked their energy and the spunk that they had, it meant business and…
5
Anonymous, HKD CLIENT
07/05/2015
I cannot recommend Jon Damashek highly enough. I attribute the favorable outcome to my case to his consummate and tireless dedication and tenacity. Just as important, he was truly there with me every step of the way. He was very…
5
Mike W., HKD CLIENT
07/05/2015
I had the opportunity to work with Jon Damashek and had an amazing experience. I have known Jon for many years and always felt very comfortable relying on his expertise and knowledge of the law and more importantly his ability…
5
Steven B., HKD CLIENT
07/05/2015
I have worked with countless attorneys over the years and Jon Damashek stands out among them. I have seen first hand him advocate for his clients vigorously. He fights for the rights of the seriously injured, does not back down…
5
Wendy B., HKD CLIENT
07/05/2015
I know all three named partners at this firm and highly recommend them. They are very professional and tireless advocates for their clients. If you need a personal injury attorney, you cannot do better than Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek.
5
Eric G., HKD CLIENT
07/05/2015
After meeting with Jon Damashek I knew immediately he was the right attorney for me. I had met with other attorneys in the past, but Jon’s experience, knowledge, and track record were most impressive. I highly recommend Jon Damashek and…
5
Ryan G., HKD CLIENT
07/05/2015
After meeting a half dozen lawyers at different firms, I decided to go to Hecht, Kleeger and Damashek. As soon as I met Jon Damashek, I knew I had to look no further. Mr. Damashek made me feel at ease…
5
Michael R., HKD CLIENT
07/05/2015
I retained Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek for a serious personal injury case. They were very professional and managed to obtain a settlement for me that far exceeded my expectations. I would strongly recommend this firm for anyone’s legal needs.
5
Peter M., HKD CLIENT