There are a lot of reasons why people hesitate to get lawyers involved. “It’s not that serious,” you may say to yourself. Others may say, “I can figure it out myself.” But for many, the real concern is cost. Lawyers have a reputation of being expensive. In fairness, some lawyers are very expensive. A quick Google search will tell you that the average lawyer charges $327 an hour.
But is that true? And do lawyers give free consultations at least?
If you’ve been involved in an accident caused by someone else and you’re facing medical bills, repair costs, missed time at work, etc., the last thing you want to do is spend thousands of dollars on an attorney. Thankfully, that’s not quite how things work for personal injury claims.
The Richards Firm, a local personal injury firm, works on a contingency fee on a regular basis.
How Things (Usually) Work with Accident Attorneys
As an accident lawyer in Butler County, Rhys Richards and his team can’t speak for all attorneys. But we can answer some of your questions by telling you how we do things.
Do lawyers give free consultations?
At The Richards Firm (and most accident attorneys), your initial consultation is free. There are no commitments or hidden fees. We meet wherever is convenient and comfortable for you, and we discuss your case and how to best proceed. We’ll dive deeper into this in a minute.
How much does it cost after the consultation?
We work on a contingency fee, which means you do not have to pay us until we win your case. Our fee varies depending on the complexity of your case. We will be able to assess that fee for you at the initial consultation.
What Does a Free Consultation Include?
Now that we’ve answered the question “do lawyers give free consultations,” let’s take a deeper look at what a free consultation typically includes.
First, there’s the time and place of the consultation. While some attorneys may expect you to schedule an in-person appointment during office hours, The Richards Firm meets you where you’re at and when you’re available. While we’re happy to meet you at our office, we can also come to you, whether that’s in your home or at a local coffee shop. We can also have your consultation over the phone or via a video call. Sometimes we do a hybrid of several of those options.
The goal of the consultation is to first and foremost listen to the specifics of your situation. We want you to walk us through everything that happened. We want to hear your goals, questions, and concerns. Once we’ve covered all of that, we can discuss the options available to you and how to best proceed.
From there, it’s your choice on how you’d like to move forward.
What Happens After a Consultation?
The answer to this question depends on how you choose to proceed. You may decide to meet with another attorney and see what they say. Getting a second or third opinion is never a bad idea. You may choose to proceed on your own.
Should you decide to proceed with us as your attorney, we’ll draft up the necessary paperwork to inform the necessary parties, and we will begin officially representing you in a legal capacity.
How this plays out will depend on the specifics of your case, but it often includes:
- Handling insurance companies
- Organizing evidence
- Collecting testimonies
- Speaking to the authorities
- Communicating with other attorneys
- And more
All of this allows you to focus on your recovery process, while ensuring things are done the right way.
What to Do Before You Speak to an Attorney
When you meet with an attorney for the first time, you may feel anxious or unsure about how the meeting will go. A good lawyer will aim to make you feel comfortable and supported. In many personal injury cases, attorneys offer free consultations, which gives you a risk-free opportunity to see how well you and the attorney communicate, to ask questions about their experience, and to decide whether they are the right fit for your case.
During that initial meeting, you should come prepared with personal details and incident information: your address, employment history, a detailed account of what happened, injuries sustained, any medical treatment, dependents you may have, etc.
You’ll also want to share any evidence you may have. This includes photos, medical records, police reports, bills, receipts, insurance documents, or witness statements. This helps the attorney evaluate your situation more accurately and begin building the most effective case possible.
You’ll also want to use the time to get clarity on how the lawyer works, what your case might cost (or not cost), and how communication will proceed if you hire them. The Richards Firm makes it clear: your initial consultation is free, so you can meet, ask questions, and see whether you’re comfortable moving forward. From there, you only owe us if we win your case.
Choosing an Attorney
Choosing the right personal injury lawyer is one of the most important decisions you can make after being injured. The attorney you hire can influence how your case progresses, what your experience will be like, and ultimately what result you obtain. Because the stakes are high, you should look for a lawyer who handles cases on a contingency basis (so you pay no upfront costs) and who offers free consultations so you can evaluate whether they’re a good fit without financial risk.
You should also look for trial experience. Though most cases settle before trial, it’s good to know your attorney is comfortable in a court room if it happens. A lawyer who can both negotiate and, if necessary, try your case in court is far more likely to protect your interests as best as possible under pressure.
Local knowledge also matters. Laws vary from state to state, so if you’re incident took place in Ohio, you’ll want a lawyer familiar with Ohio law, local courts, judges, and procedures.
How The Richards Firm Can Help
Whether or not you’re sure you need an attorney, it never hurts to schedule a free consultation. If you’re looking for a personal injury lawyer serving Greater Cincinnati and Southwestern Ohio, The Richards Firm is here for you. The Richards Firm was founded on the idea that the legal system should be accessible to those in need.
With The Richards Firm, you will always be treated as an individual with unique needs, and you’ll never have to worry about hidden fees. Do we give free consultations? Of course! Not only that, but we’ll accommodate your needs for the consultation. If you want to come visit our offices in Hamilton, Ohio, we’ll be here. If you prefer to have your consultation at your home, a public setting, over the phone, or via video call, that’s great too.
To get started, simply click here to schedule a consultation online or give us a call at 513-461-0084.