What the first meeting covers
In a personal injury consultation, the lawyer listens to how the injury happened, what treatment you have had, and how the injury has affected your work and daily life. The goal is to identify who may be responsible, which insurance policies may apply, and which kind of claim fits, since car accidents, falls on property, injuries at work, and medical care each follow different rules in New York. You should also hear which deadlines apply, including the much shorter notice requirement for claims against a city, county, or other public body. Expect questions about prior injuries and earlier claims, because insurers will ask them too. It is fine to ask how the lawyer would handle the case and who in the office would work on it.
Bring what you have, not what you lack
Useful items include the police or incident report number, photographs of the scene and your injuries, names of witnesses, insurance cards and any claim numbers, and letters or emails from insurers. A list of doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies you have used, with approximate dates, helps the lawyer request records. Bring proof of missed work if you have it, such as pay stubs or a letter from your employer. Do not delay the meeting to collect everything, because much of it can be obtained later with your authorization. If an insurer has asked for a recorded statement or for your signature on a medical authorization, bring the request and hold off until you have discussed it.
Fees and the decision to proceed
Personal injury cases in New York are commonly handled on a contingency fee, meaning the fee is a share of any recovery rather than an hourly charge, and court rules limit how that share can be set in many cases. A written retainer agreement should explain the percentage, how case expenses are handled, and whether they are deducted before or after the fee is calculated. You are not obligated to hire the lawyer you consult, and you can take time to compare options. At the end of a consultation with us, you should know whether the matter is one we can take on, what the next steps would be, and what to do in the meantime, such as continuing medical care and avoiding public posts about the accident.
