Van Dorn & Curtiss Blog

Upcoming meeting with an attorney? What to expect in your first interview.

Do you have a meeting scheduled with an attorney at Van Dorn & Curtiss to discuss the merits of a potential personal injury claim? If you don’t, and would like to schedule one, please contact us.  If an appointment is already scheduled, you may be wondering what to expect or what information the attorney is going to ask you. The first meeting between you and your lawyer could be the most important meeting in your case.  During your initial interview, your attorney will typically discuss several factors that may play a role in your potential personal injury claim. These factors include the statute of limitations in your case.  Specifically, your attorney will need to determine when the statute of limitation begins to run on all your potential claims, and when it ends. Your attorney will also discuss issues bearing on liability.  This is where details are very critical, and the attorney may spend a significant amount of time walking through the events step by step.  For example, in an automobile accident case, your attorney will need to know how the accident happened, a description of the scene of the collision, the location of all vehicles involved in the collision, the point of impact, and other details such as speed, time, and road markings.  Your attorney will also discuss damages.  Damages may include out-of-pocket expenses, lost income, future expenses, medical bills, as well as intangible harm such as pain and suffering.  Other potential topics to be discussed include the client’s background, other parties involved, potential witnesses, potential defenses, physical evidence, paperwork, the client’s goals, and the steps going forward. There is one important thing to should keep in mind: tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.  Don’t tell your lawyer what you think is important.  It is crucial that you tell the entire story, making sure to include all facts that you might think are negative or harmful to your claim.  This is the only way to ensure that your attorney gives you the best and most candid advice.

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