What Happens During a Personal Injury Consultation?
If you’ve never talked to a lawyer before, scheduling a personal injury consultation can feel intimidating. You might be thinking:
“What are they going to ask me?”
“Do I need to bring anything?”
“Is this going to cost me anything?”
Here’s the truth: your first consultation is a conversation, not a commitment.
It’s your chance to get answers, understand your rights, and decide if legal help is the right next step. And when you sit down with me, I’ll walk you through everything at your pace—no pressure, no legal jargon.
Let me show you exactly what to expect.
First: It’s Completely Free
There’s no charge for a personal injury consultation with my office. You won’t get billed. You won’t be pressured into signing anything.
It’s just a conversation—about you, your injury, and your options.
Whether you were in a car accident, fell on someone else’s property, or were hurt in another way, this is the time to get clarity.
What I’ll Ask You About
You don’t need to have all the answers right away, but here are a few things I’ll ask during our meeting:
What happened? (The basic details of the accident)
When and where did it happen?
What injuries have you had?
What medical care have you received so far?
Have you missed work or lost income?
Have you spoken to the insurance company yet?
Don’t worry if you don’t have every document or detail—just bring what you have, and I’ll help with the rest.
What You Can Ask Me
This is your time, too. I welcome any and all questions, but here are some you might consider asking:
Do I have a case?
What should I do next?
How does your fee work?
How long will this take?
Will I have to go to court?
What’s the value of my case?
No question is too small. My goal is for you to walk out of our meeting feeling more informed and less stressed.
What I’ll Do Next
After we talk, if I believe you have a strong case and you’re ready to move forward, I’ll explain:
How the process works
What I’ll handle on your behalf (calls, paperwork, medical records, insurance negotiations)
How we communicate throughout your case
What you can expect over the next few weeks
And remember: I work on a contingency fee, which means you pay nothing unless we win.
What You Should Bring (If You Can)
If you have any of these, bring them along—but it’s okay if you don’t:
Photos from the accident
Medical bills or discharge papers
Insurance policy info
Police or incident reports
Names of doctors or clinics you’ve visited
Contact from insurance adjusters
Again, we’ll fill in the gaps together. You’re not expected to come in with everything figured out.
Final Thoughts
Meeting with a personal injury lawyer shouldn’t feel scary. It should feel like the first step toward clarity and control.
My goal is to make sure you walk away knowing your rights, your options, and what comes next—whether we work together or not.
If you’ve been hurt and don’t know what to do next, call Chatenka Injury Law today to schedule your free consultation.
You’ve got questions—I’ve got answers. Let’s talk.
