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First meeting with the accident attorney McDonough is very important. At the first interview asks about the fees; whether there is a charge for letters and telephone calls; whether client can pay over time or must pay when the bill arrives. Ask the lawyer whether a retainer — effectively a down payment for services he or she will perform — is required, and what would be involved in using Legal Aid. Find out whether client will be sent interim or monthly bills. Often clients have no idea how much their case is costing until they get a whopping bill at the end, and that can be months or even years later. At the end of this interview, try to find out the lawyer’s initial impressions of the case — what he or she thinks will be the points of contention, what the strategy might be, where the case might end up, how long it will take. But beware of the lawyer who gives client pat and absolute answers in the first interview. Although this might be reassuring to client, the case will probably not turn out to be that easy. No lawyer can ever get a complete picture in the first interview, because so much will depend on what the other side of the story is, what the other party has to say, what other party and his or her lawyer decide on as their strategy and what other facts come to light over time. Do not allow a lawyer to give client a false sense of security. In time client will gain a sense of security on own, and a perspective on where the case is heading. Just because client have hired one does not mean he or she cannot fire the lawyer. If he or she does not answer the phone calls, does not take the steps client think appropriate or takes steps client think inappropriate, client might consider firing this one and getting a new lawyer. Client has the right to do this at any time. But beware of “lawyer shopping,” of thinking that if only client can get the “right” lawyer, the problems will be solved. That’s about as unrealistic as looking for Mr. Right. Before client look for another one, moreover, client should confront the present accident attorney McDonough to explain the dissatisfactions and see whether the problems can be remedied. It is costly to switch lawyers halfway through a case. The Author Gracie Calaway is a professional writer, presently writing for Injury Lawyers McDonough
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