What to Expect During Your First Consultation with a Personal Injury Lawyer

If you’ve been injured in an accident—whether it's a car crash, slip and fall, or any other incident—you may be considering legal action to recover compensation. One of the first and most important steps is scheduling a consultation with a personal injury lawyer.

But if you’ve never met with a lawyer before, you might feel anxious or unsure about what to expect.

This article will walk you through everything you need to know about your first consultation with a personal injury lawyer—so you can show up prepared, confident, and informed.

What Is a Personal Injury Consultation?

A consultation is an initial meeting between you and a lawyer to review your case, understand your legal options, and decide whether to move forward with a claim. Most personal injury lawyers, including firms like MacIsaac Gow LLP, offer free, no-obligation consultations—meaning you don’t pay anything for this meeting, and you're not required to hire the lawyer afterward.

The goal of the consultation is two-fold:

1. For you – to understand your rights and determine whether you want to pursue a claim.

2. For the lawyer – to assess the strength of your case and determine if they can help.

What You Should Bring to the Consultation

Coming prepared can make your consultation smoother and more productive. Try to bring the following:

???? Documentation:

• Accident or police reports

• Medical records or hospital discharge papers

• Photos or videos of the accident scene, injuries, or property damage

• Insurance information (yours and the other party’s)

• Correspondence with insurance companies

• Witness contact details

• Receipts or invoices for medical costs, repairs, or out-of-pocket expenses

• Pay stubs or income details (to calculate lost wages)

Don’t worry if you don’t have everything. Just bring what you can—the lawyer will let you know what else is needed later.

What the Lawyer Will Ask You

During the consultation, the lawyer will ask detailed questions to understand your situation. Expect to discuss:

• How the injury occurred (what, where, when, how)

• Who was involved (drivers, property owners, employers, etc.)

• The extent of your injuries

• Medical treatment you’ve received

• Any ongoing pain, limitations, or impact on your daily life

• Your insurance coverage

• Conversations you've had with any insurance adjusters

The more honest and accurate you are, the better the lawyer can evaluate your case. Everything you share is confidential—even if you decide not to hire the lawyer.

What the Lawyer Will Explain to You

After gathering the facts, the lawyer will explain important legal points, such as:

✅ Your Legal Rights

They’ll let you know whether you have a viable claim and what your legal options are.

✅ Who May Be Liable

The lawyer will identify who might be responsible—whether it's a driver, property owner, employer, or another party.

✅ The Legal Process

They’ll outline how a personal injury case typically proceeds:

1. Investigation

2. Filing a claim

3. Negotiations

4. Settlement or trial (if necessary)

✅ Timeline

While every case is unique, you’ll get a general idea of how long the process could take.

✅ Compensation You May Be Entitled To

This could include:

• Medical expenses

• Lost wages

• Pain and suffering

• Future care costs

• Property damage

• Emotional distress

✅ Fees and Payment Structure

Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis—meaning you don’t pay unless they win your case. The lawyer will explain what percentage they take from the final settlement and any additional costs that might come up.

Questions You Should Ask

The consultation is also your opportunity to ask questions. Consider asking:

• Have you handled cases like mine before?

• What is your success rate?

• How long do you think my case will take?

• Who will be handling my case—you or another lawyer?

• How will we communicate throughout the case?

• What happens if the case doesn’t settle?

A good lawyer will take the time to answer all your questions clearly and patiently.

What Happens Next?

After the consultation, the lawyer may:

• Offer to take your case

• Request more information before deciding

• Refer you to another lawyer (if the case isn’t the right fit for their firm)

If you both decide to move forward, you’ll typically sign a retainer agreement that outlines the terms of the lawyer-client relationship.

From there, your legal team will begin investigating the case, gathering evidence, and preparing to negotiate with insurance companies or file a lawsuit.

Final Thoughts

Meeting with a personal injury lawyer for the first time doesn’t have to be intimidating. In fact, it’s often a major relief. You’ll leave the consultation with a better understanding of your legal options, your potential for compensation, and a clear plan of action.

Remember: the sooner you get legal advice after an injury, the better. Evidence can disappear, memories fade, and deadlines (such as Ontario’s 2-year statute of limitations) can sneak up quickly.

Need Help Now? Contact MacIsaac Gow LLP

If you’ve been injured and need trusted legal guidance, the experienced team at MacIsaac Gow LLP Personal Injury Lawyers is here for you. We offer free consultations and work on a no-win, no-fee basis—so you can focus on healing while we handle the legal process.