Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers | November 25, 2025 | Personal Injury
Many people with personal injury cases have never dealt with lawyers before. Accident victims often don’t fully grasp their legal rights and may feel overwhelmed by the complexity of the claims process. They might also be unaware of how insurance companies frequently leverage this lack of knowledge to their advantage by offering lowball settlements.
A personal injury lawyer typically offers free consultations to help these potential clients. During your consultation, the attorney will ask questions to gather information about your case. You can also ask them questions about their background and experience.
Scheduling Your Free Consultation
When you contact a law firm online or by telephone, you will likely talk to a legal assistant or paralegal. They’ll try to determine whether the law firm might be able to assist you with your legal problem. The screening process will typically involve a few simple questions, such as, “What are you looking for help with?”
If the firm seems like a good fit, you can schedule a free consultation. Make sure to arrive on time and be prepared to discuss your case. The person scheduling your appointment may suggest that you bring certain documents with you. Try to gather these documents because they can help the attorney assess your legal situation.
6 Questions To Ask During A Free Consultation
Your free consultation will likely have a time limit. The person scheduling your meeting should be able to inform you of the estimated duration.
By arriving prepared, you can make the most of this time. Along with important documents, bring a list of questions to ask the attorney. Here are six to get you started.
1. How Much Do You Charge?
Personal injury lawyers typically charge a contingency fee based on a percentage of their client’s settlement or court award. However, the rate will vary depending on many factors, including the lawyer’s experience and the difficulty of the case. Thus, a lawyer who focuses on complex wrongful death cases might charge more for their experience in the field.
Discuss the lawyer’s fee structure. Also, ask about case expenses. These are costs that the lawyer will typically cover to keep your case moving forward. They might include copying fees charged by medical offices, deposition expenses, and expert witness fees.
2. Who Will Handle My Case?
Discuss with the lawyer who will handle your case. In some law firms, the lawyer who conducts the initial consultation will pass the case to another attorney in the firm. This is not necessarily bad. It allows the firm to balance each attorney’s workload and ensure clients receive the attention they deserve.
However, it is essential to know who will handle your case, as you will need to work closely with them.
3. How Will I Receive Case Updates?
A common client complaint is that their lawyer does not keep them up to date on their case. Set your expectations early by asking about case updates during the initial consultation.
Additionally, find out who you can contact when you have questions or need to provide additional information. Lawyers are very busy, so you might be in closer contact with the paralegal or legal assistant assigned to your case. These staff members can often provide more timely responses than lawyers can.
4. What Experience Do You Have With Similar Cases?
Not all injury lawyers handle all types of cases. For example, a lawyer might focus their practice on personal injury law and have very little or no experience with workers’ compensation claims. Ask the lawyer about their experience in similar cases, as well as the outcomes they earned.
5. What Outcome Can I Expect From My Claim?
Lawyers cannot predict the exact outcome in your case. However, an experienced attorney can usually discuss some potential resolutions. They might say whether you have a high likelihood of settling your case, for example, and even give an estimate of a possible case value.
6. What Can I Do To Help Win Or Settle My Case?
You will play an essential role in your case. The lawyer will have suggestions for you, such as staying off social media and refraining from talking to the at-fault party’s insurer.
Additionally, you should have an open and honest discussion about all the facts of your case, including those that negatively affect your interests. Your discussions will remain confidential, even if you do not hire the lawyer.
Contact Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers To Schedule A Free Consultation With A Lanham Personal Injury Attorney
If you’ve been in an accident in Lanham, MD, you may be able to pursue compensation. During your free consultation, you can gather information that will help you decide whether to proceed with your case.
For more information, please contact Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a confidential consultation with a personal injury lawyer. Our team is available to assist clients in Lanham, Frederick, Rockville, Waldorf, Annapolis, and Lexington Park, Maryland.
We proudly serve Charles County, Prince George’s County, and its surrounding areas. Visit our law offices at:
Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers – Waldorf Office
8 Post Office Rd Waldorf, MD 20602
(301) 932-9997
Available 24/7
Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers – Lanham Office
4600 Forbes Blvd Ste #200 Lanham, MD 20706
(301) 936-0011
Available 24/7