What to Expect During Your Case Evaluation

After an accident, you're dealing with injuries, medical appointments, lost work time, and mounting bills. The last thing you need is uncertainty about what happens when you reach out to a law firm for help.

At Aaron Ferguson Law, we believe you should know exactly what to expect from your case evaluation before you ever walk through our doors. This guide answers the most common questions about our consultation process, so you can feel prepared and confident about taking that first step.

What Happens After You Contact Us?

When you reach out to schedule a case evaluation, our intake team gathers initial information about your situation. We then send this information to our legal team so they can prepare for your meeting.

You'll receive a confirmation text with your appointment time, date, our office address, and phone number. We want to make sure you have everything you need to find us without added stress on the day of your meeting.

Where and When Do We Meet?

Case evaluations typically take place at our office, where you'll meet with a member of our intake team in a private meeting room. If your injuries make it difficult to travel, we can send someone to your home or hospital instead.

Most case evaluation meetings last about an hour, though this can vary depending on how many details we need to discuss. If multiple people were involved in the same accident and are considering representation, the meeting might run longer.

What Documents Should You Bring?

The more information you can provide during your evaluation, the better we can assess your situation. Here's what we recommend bringing:

For personal injury cases:

• Photo identification
• Insurance information (yours and the other person's)
• Police report or case number
• Medical documentation like visit summaries or treatment plans
• Personal health insurance information if available

For workers' compensation cases:

• Photo identification
• Insurance information
• First injury report
• Employee handbook
• Any communications with your employer about the injury
• Recent pay stubs
• Medical documentation like visit summaries or treatment plans
• Personal health insurance information if available

Don't worry if you don't have everything on this list. We can still meet with you and help you gather missing documents later.

What Happens During the Meeting?

Once you're settled in our meeting room, we'll start by talking through your situation in detail. Our goal is to collect as much information as possible about what happened and how the accident has affected your life.

We'll answer your immediate questions and concerns about seeking legal help. Common questions we hear include:

• Do I have a case?
• How does the legal process work for my type of claim?
• How long will my case take?
• Who will pay for my medical bills?
• What happens with my damaged vehicle?
• How will I pay my regular bills while I recover?
• How much is my case worth?
• What if there's no insurance?
• What should I do about my job?

We'll be honest about what we can and can't answer at this stage. For example, we can't predict exactly how long your case will take or give you a precise case value during this initial meeting. These factors depend on many variables that become clearer as your case develops.

What Advice and Information Do We Provide?

During your evaluation, we focus on setting clear expectations rather than offering premature advice. You're meeting with our intake team, who represents the attorney who will handle your case. Your attorney will provide specific legal advice after reviewing your situation in detail.

However, we do provide one critical piece of guidance right away: if any insurance agents, opposing counsel, or the defendant try to contact you, direct them to us. This protects your rights and prevents you from saying something that could hurt your case.

Do You Need to Decide Anything That Day?

No. You don't have to make any decisions during your case evaluation. You're free to take time to think things over or consult with family members first.

We do have a 30-day window to onboard new cases after we first make contact with you, so we'll set a follow-up date to check in about your decision. This gives you time to consider your options without feeling rushed.

If you decide to move forward with representation during the meeting, we'll explain our retainer agreement in detail. Once you're comfortable with the terms, we'll collect the necessary signatures and provide you with copies of all signed documents, along with contact information for your legal team.

We'll also create your file, upload any documents you brought, and assign a legal team to your case. Within a short time, you'll receive a welcome call or letter, and your attorney will be in touch to discuss next steps.

What Happens to Your Case After the Evaluation?

Once you retain our services, your case moves from our intake team to your assigned legal team. They'll review everything in detail and contact you to discuss your specific situation and strategy.

The intake team's role is to make sure you feel heard, informed, and comfortable with your decision to work with us. After that, your attorney and their support staff take over to guide you through every stage of your case.

Common Concerns We Hear

Every client brings different worries to their case evaluation. You might be concerned about property damage, medical bills, lost wages, or whether your case is even worth pursuing. You might worry about dealing with your employer or losing your job.

These concerns are completely valid. The case evaluation gives you a chance to voice all of these worries in a safe, confidential space. We're here to listen, provide clarity where we can, and help you understand your options.

You're Not Alone in This Process

The uncertainty after an accident can feel overwhelming. Bills arrive in the mail. Insurance companies call with offers that sound good but leave you wondering if there's more you should know. Your injuries make everyday tasks harder than they used to be.

A case evaluation doesn't commit you to anything. It simply gives you the information you need to make the best decision for yourself and your family. You'll leave with a clearer picture of your legal options and what the path forward might look like if you choose to pursue a claim.

If you're ready to learn more about your case, or if you still have questions about what a case evaluation involves, contact Aaron Ferguson Law today. We're here to help you move forward.