If you’ve been injured because of someone else’s negligence, meeting with a lawyer for the first time can feel intimidating. But a free consultation is also your opportunity to ask a personal injury lawyer questions and decide whether the attorney is the right fit for you.
Think of the meeting as a two-way conversation. The lawyer will ask about your accident and injuries, but you should ask questions, too. Most people have never hired a personal injury lawyer before, so it’s completely normal not to know what to ask or where to start.
Why the Questions You Ask Matter
An initial consultation is free and comes with no obligation, so you don’t need to rush through it or hold back questions.
Nebraska injury law includes rules that can affect fault, filing deadlines, and the compensation you may be able to recover. An experienced lawyer should be able to explain how those rules apply to your situation in clear, straightforward language.
Questions About Experience and Track Record
Experience is about more than years in practice. You also want to know whether the attorney has handled cases similar to yours.
Consider asking:
- How long have you practiced personal injury law?
- Do you focus on injury cases, or do you handle different areas of law?
- Have you handled cases similar to mine?
- Are you prepared to take my case to trial if we can’t reach a fair settlement?
Friedman Law Offices brings decades of experience representing injured people throughout Nebraska.
Questions About Your Nebraska Injury Case
Your first meeting is also an opportunity to get the lawyer’s initial assessment of your claim.
Useful questions to ask include:
- Do I have a valid injury claim under Nebraska law?
- Who may be liable for my injuries?
- How could Nebraska’s comparative negligence law affect my recovery?
- What factors could affect what my case is worth?
- What potential weaknesses do you see in my case?
Nebraska follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If you share responsibility for an accident, your compensation may be reduced according to your percentage of fault. If your negligence is equal to or greater than the combined negligence of the parties you are seeking compensation from, you cannot recover damages.
Nebraska typically does not allow punitive damages in civil cases. An attorney should give you a realistic assessment of the damages that may be available rather than promise a particular outcome.
Questions About Fees and Costs
Understanding how the lawyer will be paid can prevent surprises later.
Ask the following:
- Do you work on a contingency fee?
- What percentage will you charge, and how is the fee calculated?
- What other case costs could I be responsible for?
- What happens to those costs if we do not win?
With a contingency fee, you do not pay an attorney fee upfront. Instead, the lawyer receives an agreed-upon percentage of the recovery if the case is successful. Case costs, such as filing fees, expert fees, and costs for obtaining records, may be handled separately, so ask how those expenses will be paid.
Free consultations and contingency fee arrangements are common in personal injury cases, so don’t let cost keep you from asking questions about your options.
Questions About Timeline and Communication
No lawyer can tell you exactly how long a case will take, but an attorney should be able to explain what can affect the timeline.
Asking these questions can be helpful:
- How long might my case take?
- When might settling make sense, and when might going to trial be necessary?
- Who will handle my case day to day?
- How will I receive updates?
Some cases settle relatively quickly, while others take longer due to disputes over fault, injury severity, ongoing medical treatment, or disagreements over what constitutes fair compensation. If the insurance company will not make a reasonable offer, you may need to file a lawsuit and prepare for trial.
Nebraska allows four years to file a personal injury lawsuit, but that is not a reason to wait. Evidence can disappear, and witnesses’ memories can fade. Speaking with a lawyer as soon as possible gives them more time to investigate what happened.
What to Bring to Your First Meeting
You don’t need every document before talking to a lawyer, but bringing what you already have can help the attorney evaluate your claim.
Consider gathering:
- A police or incident report
- Photographs of the accident scene and your injuries
- Medical records and bills related to your injuries
- Insurance information for everyone involved
- Letters or other communications from insurance adjusters
Being organized helps the lawyer understand what happened, identify key issues, and make the most of your first meeting.
Red Flags to Watch For
Pay attention not only to what an attorney tells you but also to how your questions are handled.
Warning signs can include:
- Guarantees about a specific outcome or settlement amount
- Pressure to sign an agreement before you are ready
- Vague answers about attorney fees or case costs
- Unwillingness to discuss possible weaknesses in your claim
Nebraska’s professional conduct rules prohibit false or misleading statements about a lawyer’s services, including statements about past results that could create unjustified expectations about the outcome of another case. Be cautious of any attorney who promises a specific outcome or dollar amount.
A consultation should leave you with a clearer understanding of your options, not more uncertainty.
Friedman Law Offices Is Here to Answer Your Questions
A free, no-obligation consultation gives you a chance to ask questions about your personal injury accident, your legal options, and what you can expect if you decide to move forward.
Friedman Law Offices has served Nebraskans since Herbert Friedman founded the firm in 1962. Today, his son, Daniel Friedman, continues that family legacy in Lincoln and throughout Nebraska.
You don’t pay unless we win your case. Contact Friedman Law to schedule your free consultation and get answers to your questions.