At the initial consultation, the attorney needs to learn enough information about your situation to determine whether he or she can help you, or refer you to someone with more expertise. Since the initial consult may only be one-half to an hour long, you want to give the attorney the most important details about your problem so he can help prioritize your legal needs.

1. Organize your thoughts and write down your story for yourself in your own words before meeting with your attorney;

2. Bring all important documents, receipts, and letters that may affect your case;

3. Provide names and dates to your attorney so he has an idea of who is involved and when your legal issues began;

4. Your attorney knows which questions to ask to narrow your legal issues; be sure to give your attorney clear answers;

5. Tell the truth to your attorney even if you think details may hurt your case.

6. Do NOT exaggerate the facts or details; tell your story the way it happened;

7. It is natural to feel very emotional about your situation, and it is important to stay focused on the facts and circumstances of the event, because the facts are what your attorney must work with in the court of law;

8. It's important that you feel comfortable with the attorney you meet with in consultation.

How to Choose an Attorney Who Specializes in Personal Injury

Personal injury cases are serious matters. They can involve injury, permanent disability, or even death. Victims depend on the financial damages they are awarded to cover their medical treatments, replace permanently lost income, and compensate for their pain and suffering. Without a qualified, experienced personal injury attorney, their chances of receiving fair compensation may not happen.

That is why it is imperative that, if you have been a victim of personal injury, that you choose the right personal injury attorney to represent you. Here are a few things to consider when choosing a personal injury attorney:

What is not obvious about lawyers is that every lawyer specializes in something that they excelled at in the field of law.  Therefore, it is vitally important if you've been injured to choose an attorney most familiar and experienced in personal injury law.

Your attorney should be able to accurately assess the merits of a personal injury case, approximate its monetary value, and determine the best strategy for pursuing it. He or she should also have extensive experience in the field. Furthermore, landmark cases change personal injury law each year, and you should choose a lawyer who keeps current with the latest developments in personal injury law.

Mark Schwartz has 28 years in the field of personal injury law.

Choose a personal injury attorney experienced in dealing with insurance companies

Did you know that more lawyers work for insurance companies than there are private practitioners.  The purpose of these insurance company corporate lawyers is to pay you the least amount possible on an injury to save them money.

An inexperienced personal injury attorney dealing with experienced insurance company lawyers may be at a disadvantage dealing in these negotiations. 

Therefore, choosing a personal injury lawyer with a proven track record of successful negotiations with insurance companies is imperative.

Mark Schwartz has successfully negotiated with insurance companies for 28 years.

Choose an attorney with trial experience

Many personal injury claims can be settled out of court.  However, sometimes what the insurance company offers in a settlement does not match the amount of injury and suffering that a client has experienced.  Therefore your attorney may want to take your case to court.  This is a very expensive and emotional process, and most attorneys will want to weigh what your case is worth versus the cost of going to trial.

Mark Schwartz's 28 years of trial experience provides his clients with expert judgment in weighing whether or not cases should go to trial.

The Law Offices of

Mark R. Schwartz

Attorney-at-Law

(310) 881-0505