[email protected] [email protected] | June 17, 2025 | Personal Injury
Most personal injury attorneys offer a free initial consultation. This meeting allows the lawyer and potential client to openly discuss the injured person’s legal claims. It also helps the personal injury lawyer assess the strength and value of those claims. This step provides a starting point for any legal representation.
Most people with possible personal injury claims have never hired a lawyer before. Before heading into your free consultation, you should keep these five things in mind.
1. A Free Consultation with a Lawyer Is Completely Free
Lawyers do not charge any fees for a free consultation. Moreover, you are not obligated to hire the lawyer or even follow the suggestions they make during the meeting. Make the most of your time with the lawyer and ask all the questions you have about your case.
Some questions you might want to ask a personal injury lawyer during a free consultation include:
- How much do you charge?
- Have you handled similar cases, and what outcomes did you obtain?
- What weaknesses do you see in my case?
- How long do you think my case will take?
- What outcomes can I expect?
A lawyer might not have all the answers to your questions. In many situations, they must review additional records, such as medical files and accident reports, before answering your questions. However, it never hurts to ask, particularly if the answer will affect how you want to proceed with your injury case.
2. Your Discussion Is Confidential
Under Rule 4-1.6 of the Florida Rules of Professional Conduct, anything you disclose when you consult a lawyer should usually remain confidential. This means the lawyer typically cannot reveal anything, with a few exceptions, that you discuss during your free consultation, even if you do not hire them.
For example, suppose that you disclose to your lawyer that you might have glanced at your phone before another driver rear-ended your vehicle. Your lawyer cannot disclose that information to another party without your consent. Instead, you and your attorney will formulate a strategy to explain how your actions were unrelated to the other driver hitting your car.
3. You Should Bring All Information You Have
Potential clients often wonder what they should bring to a free consultation with a lawyer. In most cases, the more information you bring, the more complete answers the lawyer may be able to provide during your meeting.
Some documents you might consider taking to a free consultation include:
- Medical records
- Accident report
- Photos of the accident scene
- Insurance information
For example, suppose that you slipped and fell down a flight of stairs at a hotel. Photos of the stairwell might help the lawyer identify possible hazardous conditions, such as slick surfaces or loose handrails, that the hotel owner should have fixed.
Similarly, if you were in a car accident, copies of your medical records might help a lawyer determine how your case would be affected under Florida’s no-fault system. Your medical records will help a lawyer evaluate your rights under Florida law.
4. Your Consultation Will Not Be Unlimited
While the lawyer will answer as many of your questions as possible, you should respect the lawyer’s time. Arrive on time and have your questions written down before the meeting. The more efficiently your consultation runs, the quicker you can decide how to proceed with your case.
5. You Should Discuss Fees
Injury lawyers typically charge contingency fees. The lawyer can explain how these fees work in a consultation. You should also raise any questions you have about legal fees as soon as possible. Many misunderstandings about fees arise because lawyers may think clients understand them, and clients are afraid to ask questions.
Contact the Clearwater Personal Injury Law Firm of Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
Free consultations are designed to help potential clients understand their rights and how they can assert them. You should take advantage of these meetings to gather the information you need to make an informed decision about your case.
If you’ve been injured or in an accident, call Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers to set up a free consultation with our Clearwater personal injury attorneys.
For more information, please contact the legal team of Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers for a free initial consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Clearwater. We have convenient locations in Florida: St. Petersburg, Safety Harbor, Clearwater, New Port Richey, and Tampa.
We serve throughout Pinellas County, Hillsborough County, Pasco County, and its surrounding areas:
Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – Clearwater Office
1811 N. Belcher Road, Suite I-1
Clearwater, FL 33765
(727) 787-2500
Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – Congress Ave Office
2360 Congress Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33763
(727) 591-5610
Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – Tampa Office
6601 Memorial Hwy Suite 202
Tampa, FL 33615
(813) 686-7588
Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – New Port Richey Office
2515 Seven Springs Blvd.
New Port Richey, FL, 34655
(727) 815-8442
Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – St. Petersburg Law Office
840 Beach Dr NE Suite 202
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 787-2500
Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – Safety Harbor Law Office
202 9th Ave S Suite A-2
Safety Harbor, FL 34695
(727) 787-2500