Personal injuries can cost you thousands of dollars or more in initial medical costs and follow-up care, but few people have that kind of money laying around. When injuries result from the negligence of others, you may be eligible to seek compensation against their insurance. A free consultation with an injury lawyer helps you understand your legal rights, given your circumstances.
Below, we explain more about what a free consultation is and how it benefits both you and our law firm.
At Schmidt Kramer, we help victims injured by the negligence of others every day, something we have been doing successfully for decades. Our experienced personal injury lawyers in Harrisburg have a proven history of securing favorable outcomes, and we are prepared to seek the maximum possible compensation on your behalf.
What Is a Free Personal Injury Consultation?
Many people ask us if a free personal injury consultation really is free. The answer is yes; your initial consultation is 100 percent free and costs you nothing – even if you decide not to hire our firm.
During this initial meeting, one of our lawyers will review the details and other contributing factors that led to your accident to determine the strength of your potential case. You can discuss your injuries and concerns in this meeting assured that it is completely confidential and there are no financial costs to worry about.
How Does a Free Case Review Benefit Accident Victims in Harrisburg?
A free case review can really help injured accident victims who may realize they need to do something to protect their claim but already feel overwhelmed.
During your free initial consultation, you have free access to experienced legal guidance, so you don’t need to worry about risking your financial resources during an already stressful time. The consultation helps you understand the true value of your claim and whether you may be eligible to seek compensation under Pennsylvania personal injury law.
- Financial Protection: You learn about the strength of your potential case without committing to a legal case or spending money you may need for medical bills and recovery costs.
- Clear Communication: An experienced attorney answers your questions and explains the legal process in simple “non-legalese” terms.
- Case Strength Assessment: You discover whether your claim has merit and what evidence an attorney needs to build a strong case on your behalf.
- Help Dealing With the Insurance Company: We provide tips for speaking with insurance adjusters who contact you after your accident. We also explain how we can manage communications with third parties, including the insurance company, on your behalf.
The consultation also connects you with someone who understands Pennsylvania’s personal injury laws and can protect your legal rights and best interests from the start.
What You Should Expect From This Initial Legal Consultation
Your initial consultation with a Harrisburg personal injury attorney follows a fairly structured approach to ensure a thorough evaluation of your potential case. The lawyer will gather information about your accident, review any documentation you bring, and provide honest feedback about your legal options.
During this meeting with an attorney at Schmidt Kramer you can expect we will discuss the following:
- The Accident: We need to learn more about what happened, so we will ask detailed questions about how your accident occurred and what injuries you sustained.
- Medical Review: Key details we need include your initial treatment, expected ongoing medical care you may need, and how your injuries affect your daily life.
- Official Documentation: We will need to review any police reports, medical records, or insurance correspondence you have available.
- Discuss Your Legal Options: After thoroughly reviewing the details and other factors that could impact your claim, we will discuss potential legal remedies that may be available to you under Pennsylvania personal injury law.
- Timeline Overview: We explain realistic timeframes for resolving your case, and what steps come next.
- Explain the Fee Structure: We thoroughly explain the contingency fee system, including our specific payment arrangements, and answer any questions you have about legal costs.
- Outline Next Steps: We explain what happens next if you choose our firm to represent you and decide to move forward with taking legal action.
Questions to Ask During Your Free Case Review With Schmidt Kramer
Your free case review is a great opportunity to ask questions at no cost to you. We recommend writing down things you want to ask before your meeting. Maybe having someone else with you, especially if you are still healing and not feeling 100 percent.
These questions will give you valuable insights into the attorney’s experience, how they communicate, and the approach they may take with your case. Here are a few to get you started:
- How many personal injury cases have you handled in Harrisburg and throughout Pennsylvania
- What approach would you take with my specific type of accident case?
- How long do similar cases typically take to resolve in Pennsylvania courts?
- How often will you update me on the progress of my case?
- Do you work on a contingency fee basis, and if so, what percentage do you charge?
- What factors determine the potential value of my personal injury claim?
- Do you prefer to settle cases or take them to trial when necessary?
- Who else will be working on my case besides you?
- Will you handle all communication with insurance companies on my behalf?
- Are there any costs I might be responsible for during the legal process?
- What outcomes have you achieved for clients with cases similar to mine?
Essential Documents to Bring/Have on Hand for Your Free Consultation
Bringing the right documents to your consultation helps the attorney understand your case more completely and provide better/more accurate guidance.
If the accident just happened, you may not yet have every document listed below but bring what you have available to make the most of your meeting.
- Police Report: The official police report filed – or an accident report if the incident was not a car crash.
- Medical Records: Hospital records, emergency room visits, doctor reports, and diagnostic test results related to your injuries.
- Insurance Information:Your auto insurance policy, health insurance cards, and any correspondence from insurance companies.
- Photographs: Pictures of the accident scene, vehicle damage, your injuries, and property damage.
- Witness Information: Names and contact details of anyone who saw your accident occur.
- Employee Records: Pay stubs, tax returns, or documentation showing lost wages due to your injuries
- Medical Bills: All bills related to your accident injuries, including ambulance, hospital, and doctor charges.
- Prescription Information: Records of medications prescribed for your accident-related injuries
- Correspondence: Any letters or emails from insurance adjusters or the other party involved in your Harrisburg accident.
- Vehicle Information: Registration, insurance cards, and repair estimates for damaged vehicles.
Why Acting Quickly Matters for Personal Injury Cases in Harrisburg
Pennsylvania filing deadlines play a crucial role in personal injury cases throughout the state, including Harrisburg. Under the law, you must file a personal injury lawsuit within two years of when your accident happened. This deadline is legally known as
Evidence disappears quickly after an accident. Crash scenes get cleared away, grocery store slip-and-fall evidence gets mopped up, and surveillance cameras that may have captured your accident get erased or overwritten. Even witness memories fade quickly within days of the accident.
Seeking legal help right after the incident happens means we can take immediate steps to preserve critical evidence and build the strongest possible case for your recovery.
What Happens After Your Free Case Review With Schmidt Kramer?
If we believe you have a case and you decide to move forward with our firm, we will begin taking immediate steps to protect your rights. Before we take any steps, we will draw up a legal agreement, thoroughly explain it to you, including any costs. This document will also clearly outline the terms of your legal representation from our firm, so you know exactly what to expect.
Schedule Your Free Consultation With Our Trusted Harrisburg Injury Law Firm
At Schmidt Kramer, we are deeply committed to protecting your legal rights and seeking the compensation you need and deserve after being unexpectedly injured by a negligent party.
There are no upfront costs to pay when we represent you, but you can expect one of our highly qualified Harrisburg personal injury attorneys and our deeply committed legal team to work hard on your behalf.
Need legal help after an injury in Harrisburg? Call Schmidt Kramer today. 717-727-2500