The insurance adjuster is already building a case against you. They are looking for any excuse to deny your claim or pay you a fraction of what you are owed. Now, it is your turn to make a move.
The first consultation with a Savannah personal injury attorney is not just a meeting; it is the moment you assemble your own war council. It is where you go on the offensive, sit down with a potential advocate, and determine if they have the steel to go to battle for you against the corporate giants.
This is your interview to find a fighter.
Key takeaways
- Your initial consultation is completely free, confidential, and carries no obligation to hire the firm.
- This meeting is a two-way interview. You are evaluating the attorney just as much as they are evaluating the facts of your case.
- Come prepared with all documents you have, such as police reports and medical bills, to give the attorney the clearest possible picture of your situation.
- The primary goal is for you to get a clear, honest assessment of your rights and for the attorney to understand the facts needed to build a case.
- You should leave the meeting with a full understanding of the attorney’s fee structure, which should always be a contingency fee, you pay nothing unless they win.
This Is Not a Sales Pitch; It Is a Strategy Session
Forget any image you have of a stuffy, intimidating law office. Your first meeting with a personal injury lawyer is a protected conversation. From the moment you begin discussing the details of your case, you are covered by what is known as attorney-client privilege.
This means everything you say is confidential, whether you hire that attorney or not. This is not a high-pressure sales environment. It is a war room. The purpose of this meeting is for you and a potential legal advocate to have a raw, honest discussion about what happened to you and what the other side is going to do to avoid responsibility.
What You Need to Bring: Your Arsenal of Evidence
The more information you can provide during your first meeting, the more productive it will be. Your documents tell a story that goes beyond your own words. They provide the objective facts the attorney needs to map out the case.
Gathering these items before your consultation helps the attorney immediately begin to see the full scope of your case. They can identify the strengths, anticipate the other side’s attacks, and give you a more accurate initial assessment.
- The police or incident report: This is the first official record of what happened. If you do not have the physical report, bring the report number.
- Photographs and videos: Bring any pictures or videos you took at the scene of the accident, including damage to vehicles, the surrounding area, and your visible injuries.
- Your medical records: This includes discharge papers from the emergency room, bills you have received, and the names of all doctors who have treated you.
- Information you have on the at-fault party: The other person’s name, address, and insurance information is crucial.
- Your own insurance information: Bring a copy of your own auto insurance declarations page, as it may contain important coverages.
- Proof of lost income: Pay stubs from before and after the injury can help establish your lost wages claim.
Do not worry if you cannot find everything on this list. The most important thing is that you show up and tell your story. An experienced legal team has investigators who can track down the documents you do not have. Just bring what you can.
Questions You Must Ask
You are choosing a fighter to represent you in one of the most important battles of your life. A confident, skilled attorney will respect and welcome your tough questions.
These questions will help you cut through the promises and get to the truth about a law firm’s experience, communication style, and commitment to its clients. The answers will reveal everything you need to know.
- Who exactly will be handling my case? Will you be my main lawyer, or will my case be passed to a junior associate or a paralegal? Who is my direct point of contact for questions?
- What percentage of your firm’s practice is dedicated to personal injury? You need a specialist, not a lawyer who handles a personal injury case once in a while.
- What is your experience with cases like mine here in Savannah? Do you know the local courts, judges, and opposing lawyers?
- What is your firm’s philosophy on settling a case versus taking it to trial? This is a critical question to identify a “settlement mill” versus a true trial law firm.
- Can you explain your fee structure and how case expenses are handled? A reputable attorney will be completely transparent about this.
Listen carefully to the answers. If the attorney is vague, dismissive, or seems annoyed by your questions, that is a major red flag. You want an advocate who is direct, confident, and respects you enough to give you straight answers.
The Contingency Fee Explained
For many injured people, the biggest fear is the cost of hiring a lawyer. A reputable personal injury firm eliminates this fear by working on a contingency fee basis. This is the only acceptable fee structure for an injury case.
A contingency fee means you pay the law firm absolutely nothing upfront. The firm invests its own time and resources into building your case. They only get paid if they win a settlement or a jury verdict for you. Their fee is a pre-agreed-upon percentage of the total amount they recover on your behalf.
If they do not win your case, you owe them nothing. This system is the great equalizer. An injured individual can take on a massive insurance corporation with a top-tier legal team.
It also perfectly aligns your interests with your attorney’s. The only way they get paid is if you get paid, and the more money they secure for you, the more they earn. They are fully motivated to fight for the maximum possible compensation.
The attorney should also explain how case expenses are handled. These are the costs of litigation, like court filing fees, deposition costs, and fees for expert witnesses. A dedicated firm will advance all of these costs for you.
These expenses are then reimbursed to the firm from the gross settlement or verdict at the end of the case. You should never have to pay a single dollar out of your own pocket to pursue justice.
What Happens Next? The Path Forward
By the end of your consultation, you should have a clear idea of the path ahead. The attorney will typically conclude the meeting by giving you their assessment and explaining the next steps.
If the firm takes your case
If the attorney believes you have a strong case and you decide to hire them, you will sign a representation agreement. This is the contract that outlines the contingency fee and officially establishes the attorney-client relationship.
The moment you sign, your fight becomes their fight. Their team will immediately send a Letter of Representation to all involved insurance companies. This letter legally directs them to cease all contact with you and to communicate only with your lawyer. The harassing phone calls will stop.
If the firm declines your case
Sometimes, an attorney may decline to take a case. This is not necessarily a reflection on you or your injury. It could be for many reasons, such as a conflict of interest, or the facts of the case may not align with the firm’s focus.
A professional attorney will explain why they are declining the case and may even refer you to another lawyer who might be a better fit.
If you decide to think about it
You are under no obligation to decide on the spot. A good lawyer will respect your need to discuss the decision with your family or to think it over. They will not use high-pressure tactics.
However, they should also remind you of Georgia’s two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. While you have time to decide, you do not have unlimited time to act.
FAQ for Your First Legal Consultation
Is my conversation with the attorney really confidential?
Yes. From the moment you begin seeking legal advice from an attorney, your conversation is protected by attorney-client privilege. This is one of the oldest and most important rules in the legal profession. It means your lawyer cannot be forced to reveal what you told them, even if you do not end up hiring them.
How long will the first meeting usually take?
You should plan for the consultation to last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and a half. A thorough attorney will take the time to listen to your entire story and answer all of your questions. Be wary of any meeting that feels rushed.
What if my injuries make it impossible for me to come to the law office?
A dedicated, client-focused law firm will accommodate you. If you are in the hospital, recovering at home, or do not have transportation, the attorney should be willing to come to you. Your ability to get justice should not depend on your ability to travel.
Will the attorney be able to tell me how much my case is worth at this first meeting?
No, and you should be very skeptical of any lawyer who gives you a specific dollar amount at an initial consultation. It is impossible to know the full value of a case until your medical treatment is complete and the full extent of your long-term damages is understood. Any lawyer who promises a certain amount is just telling you what they think you want to hear.
Where can I verify that a Savannah attorney is licensed and in good standing?
You can verify any lawyer’s credentials and disciplinary history through the State Bar of Georgia. Their online member directory is a public resource that allows you to confirm that an attorney is qualified to practice law in the state. You can access it through the official State Bar of Georgia website.
The Feeling You Should Have: Confidence and Trust
When you walk out of that first consultation, you should feel a sense of relief. You should feel like a massive weight has been lifted from your shoulders. You should feel heard, understood, and, most importantly, protected.
The right attorney will not just give you legal advice; they will give you confidence that you are no longer alone in this fight. You should leave that meeting knowing that you have found a powerful ally who is ready to stand between you and the insurance company, a true fighter who believes in your case as much as you do.
You have been wronged. You are injured, and you are facing an opponent with unlimited resources. This is not a battle you should fight by yourself. You need a champion in your corner, a relentless advocate who will not back down until justice is served.
At Jamie Casino Injury Attorneys, we are that champion. We fight for the underdogs in Savannah. We take on the bullies, the big insurance corporations, and anyone who tries to deny our clients what they are owed. We were built for this fight. Your fight is our fight.
If you are ready to have a true warrior on your side, contact our Savannah office today. Call us now at (912) 355-1500 for a free, no-obligation strategy session. We will listen, we will answer your questions, and we will tell you how we will fight for you. You pay absolutely nothing unless we win your case.