The first meeting with a car accident lawyer is usually short. Thirty to sixty minutes is typical. What you bring and what you ask in that time can save weeks of back-and-forth later. If you’ve decided to book an Appointment With Car Accident Attorney Richard Harris or another injury attorney, this guide covers how to set it up, what to have ready, and how to tell whether the lawyer is a good fit.
Before You Call: Get the Basics Together
When you call, the intake staff will ask a few screening questions to see whether the firm handles your type of case. Have these answers ready:
- The date, time and location of the crash
- Whether police came, and the report number if you have it
- Your injuries and where you’ve been treated so far
- Both drivers’ insurance companies and any claim numbers
- Whether you’ve already given a recorded statement or signed anything
That last point matters more than people expect. If an adjuster has already asked you to sign a medical authorization or a release, say so on the call. Some of those forms are much broader than they look.
Booking the Appointment
Most injury firms take new cases by phone or through a contact form, and many can meet within a few days. Some offer video calls if you’re still recovering at home. Ask three things when you book: who you’ll actually be meeting with, how long the meeting is, and whether they want documents sent ahead of time. Write down the name of the person you spoke to. It helps if anything needs to be rescheduled.
Don’t wait for your treatment to finish before calling. Evidence like surveillance video and vehicle data can disappear within weeks, and Nevada gives you just two years to file most injury lawsuits.
What to Bring to the Consultation
Bring copies, not originals, of anything you have:
- Police report and exchange-of-information slip
- Photos of the scene, both vehicles and your injuries
- ER discharge papers, doctor visit summaries and bills
- Your own auto insurance declarations page (it shows whether you have underinsured motorist or MedPay coverage)
- Letters or emails from any insurance company
- Pay stubs or a note from your employer about missed work
If the other side asks for records later, through a formal request or a subpoena duces tecum (a court order to produce documents), having organized everything early makes it much easier to respond.
What Happens in the Meeting
Expect the attorney to ask you to walk through the crash from start to finish, then ask follow-up questions about your injuries and treatment. They’re checking three things: whether the other driver was clearly at fault, how serious and well-documented your injuries are, and whether there’s enough insurance to make the claim worth pursuing.
A good lawyer will also give you the bad news. That might be a weak spot in your case, like a gap in treatment or a disputed version of events, or a realistic sense of how long these claims take. Be cautious with anyone who promises a specific dollar figure at the first meeting. Larger policy questions, like state tort reform limits on certain damages, may also come up depending on your case.
Questions Worth Asking
- How many car accident cases like mine have you handled in the last few years?
- Will you personally handle my case, or will someone else?
- What’s your contingency fee, and how are case costs handled if we lose?
- What are the weakest parts of my claim?
- Roughly how long do cases like this take to resolve?
- Should I keep talking to the insurance company, or send everything to you?
After the Consultation
If the firm takes your case, you’ll sign a fee agreement and a few authorizations so they can request your records. Read the fee agreement properly and ask about anything that’s unclear. If you’re still deciding, you don’t have to sign that day. Just keep track of your deadline and keep going to your medical appointments while you decide.
