You probably know that you need legal help if you’ve been injured through no fault of your own. In most cases, working with a personal injury lawyer is how you’ll recover fair compensation, negotiate to ensure all your damages are covered, and fight for you in court if it comes to that.
But what you’re likely unsure about is how to select and hire a qualified attorney. You’ll need one who knows the law and can aggressively protect you but determining whether a lawyer is the right fit for you can be tough. Fortunately, the initial consultation is your time to learn about your case from a legal perspective and get a sense of what it’s like working with a personal injury lawyer.
Our personal injury firm offers a free, no-risk, no-obligation consultation so that we can get to know each other and you can get an idea of what to expect.
Here’s how you can prepare:
Staver provides legal advice and representation in Chicago and throughout Illinois. Once we speak or review your online request, we’ll set up a time to talk to an attorney or schedule an in-person meeting.
Staver has seven convenient locations, including our main Chicago location:
120 W Madison St.
Ste 400
Chicago, IL 60602
Get Directions
We know many of our clients are dealing with severe injuries and want our discussion to be as comfortable as possible. We’re also happy to meet at your home, over the phone, or via Zoom.
Your initial consultation is an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about your legal options. If you were hurt in a car accident, you might want to discuss the events leading to the crash. In a dog bite situation, you may have questions about homeowner liability. We’ll want to make all of this as straightforward as possible.
To take full advantage of your initial consultation, here are some things you can bring:
You will need to describe the accident and your injuries. It can help to bring a written, detailed, and chronological description of the incident to make sure nothing is left out.
If other people were around when you were hurt, give your attorney their names and contact information. They can help your lawyer learn more about what happened and prepare for your claim.
If there was a police report made regarding your accident, obtain a copy to bring to your consultation. This offers the attorney another perspective regarding what happened and information on whether anyone was ticketed or arrested in relation to the event.
One of the most crucial elements of a personal injury claim is proving your injuries and the resulting financial damages. Your medical records offer an attorney a wealth of information, including the type and extent of your injuries.
Your injury might also lead to a lot of out-of-pocket expenses. Bring copies of receipts for these expenses. This could be anything from in-home care and medical equipment to travel expenses for treatments.
A picture is worth a thousand words. Bring photos or videos of your injuries to ensure your lawyer understands what you went through. This is particularly important if you have healed a great deal since the accident. Your description may not convey the extent of your injuries and the pain they caused you.
If you were out of work for a while or are still out of work due to your injuries, bring information about your wages to give the attorney an idea of your lost income due to the accident. This may include pay stubs or a bank statement.
You should bring information regarding whatever insurance policy may be relevant to the accident, such as your health, auto, renter, or homeowner policy.
If you have already initiated contact with the responsible party or its insurer, bring your attorney any records of those conversations, such as emails. Tell your lawyer the date, time, who you spoke with, and what was discussed if you spoke on the phone.
At an initial consultation, you and your attorney can learn more about one another. Questions may come up during your meeting, but here are a few you should be sure to cover:
Knowing how to prepare for your initial consultation will help you get the most out of your first meeting. Our lawyers understand how difficult it can be to handle an insurance claim after an accident, so we offer the resources you need to focus on getting better while we fight to recover compensation.
If you were hurt in an accident, do not hesitate to schedule a free consultation with Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. Our office is conveniently located in The Loop in downtown Chicago, just steps away from the Poetry Garage on W. Madison Street.
Call Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. today at (312) 236-2900 to schedule a consultation as soon as possible.
When you’re fighting for maximum compensation, we know what it takes to get it.
