lmccullough@hawklawgroup.com | October 7, 2025 | Personal Injury
After an accident, you might feel overwhelmed, injured, and unsure where to turn. Will you say the right things? Will the lawyer take your case seriously? What if you forget something important?
The conversation you have with a personal injury lawyer can shape your entire case. It influences whether you receive fair compensation, how quickly your case moves forward, and whether you get the justice you deserve.
At Hawk Law Group, we’ve guided countless Georgia injury victims through this process. We understand the legal landscape in our state, and we’re here to help you feel confident and prepared.
If your injuries stem from a car accident in Georgia, be sure to note every detail about the crash and bring supporting documents to help your lawyer evaluate your case accurately.
Why Speaking With a Personal Injury Lawyer Matters
When you’ve been hurt in an accident, there’s more at stake than just your physical recovery. Insurance companies will be looking for ways to minimize what they pay you—their adjusters are trained to protect their company’s bottom line, not your best interests.
⚠️ Early counsel can issue preservation (spoliation) letters to secure dash-cam, store, or EMS records that are routinely overwritten within days or weeks—loss of this evidence can depress claim value.
Legal deadlines are ticking. Medical bills are piling up. Lost wages are creating financial strain. Our personal injury lawyer becomes your advocate during this difficult time.
We handle negotiations, investigate the accident, gather evidence, build a compelling case for maximum compensation, and ensure you don’t miss important deadlines that could cost you the right to recover damages.
Georgia’s statute of limitations typically gives you just two years to file a claim—miss that deadline, and you lose your right to compensation regardless of how strong your case is.
Before the Consultation – How to Prepare
The more prepared you are for your first meeting, the more productive that conversation will be.
Write Down the Details of the Accident
Memory fades over time, especially when you’re dealing with pain and stress. Write down everything you remember while it’s still fresh:
- The exact date and time it occurred
- The location (be specific—include street names, intersections, or landmarks)
- Weather and road conditions
- What happened moment by moment
- Who was involved
- Any witnesses present
- Injuries you sustained immediately and symptoms that developed later
These details matter. Even small facts can become important when building your case.
Gather Important Documents
Bring copies of any documents related to your accident and injuries:
| Document Type | Why It Matters |
| Police reports | Provide an official record and often include witness statements and the officer’s assessment of fault |
| Medical records | Document your injuries, treatment, and prognosis—include emergency room visits, doctor’s appointments, physical therapy records, and prescriptions |
| Photos | Visual evidence of the accident scene, vehicle damage, your injuries, and anything else relevant |
| Insurance communications | Emails, letters, and notes from phone calls with insurance adjusters |
If you don’t have all these documents yet, don’t worry. We can help you obtain them. Just bring whatever you do have.
Know Your Goals
Think about what you want to achieve. Are you hoping for a quick settlement so you can move forward with your life? Or are you willing to go to trial if that’s what it takes to recover full compensation?
Make a list of your top priorities: covering medical bills, replacing lost wages, securing compensation for future medical care, or holding the at-fault party accountable. Being clear about your goals helps your lawyer develop the best strategy for your situation.
What to Say to a Personal Injury Lawyer
During your consultation, open and honest communication is vital.
Be Honest About Everything
Complete transparency protects your case. If you’ve had previous injuries to the same body part, mention it. If you’ve filed insurance claims before, tell your lawyer. If there are facts about the accident that seem unfavorable, share them anyway.
Here’s why: insurance companies will investigate your background looking for inconsistencies. If they discover something you didn’t disclose, it can damage your credibility and hurt your case.
When your lawyer knows all the facts upfront, we can address potential issues proactively and develop strategies to overcome them.
✔️ Disclose prior injuries and claims proactively; when documented and distinguished medically, they often strengthen causation by clarifying what changed after this incident.
Share the Full Scope of Your Damages
Don’t downplay your injuries or their impact on your life. Your lawyer needs to understand:
- Your current pain levels and physical limitations
- Lost wages from missed work
- The emotional toll of the accident (anxiety, depression, fear of driving)
- Ongoing treatments you’ll need
- How your injuries affect your daily activities and quality of life
We need the complete picture to fight for what you truly deserve.
Communicate Your Preferences
Let your lawyer know how you prefer to be contacted—phone, email, or text—and how often you’d like updates on your case. If you have concerns about costs, timelines, or the legal process, speak up.
We’re here to address those concerns and make sure you’re comfortable every step of the way.
Questions to Ask During Your Consultation
A personal injury consultation is also your opportunity to interview the lawyer.
Have you handled cases like mine in Georgia?
Experience matters. You want a lawyer familiar with Georgia’s personal injury laws and court procedures. At Hawk Law Group, we’ve recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for injury victims throughout the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA). Our 71+ years of combined experience includes car accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death cases, and catastrophic injuries.
Why this matters: Insurance companies take cases more seriously when they know your lawyer has extensive trial experience and isn’t afraid of the courtroom.
What is your fee structure?
Most personal injury lawyers work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless they win your case. At Hawk Law Group, we handle all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. You’ll owe us nothing if we don’t recover compensation for you.
We cover all upfront costs and assume the risks of litigation.
Who will handle my case, and how will we communicate?
You deserve to know who’s handling your case and how to reach them. Ask whether you’ll work directly with an attorney or primarily with paralegals and support staff. Find out response time expectations and preferred communication methods.
What happens next? How long could the case take?
Understanding the process helps set realistic expectations. Your lawyer should walk you through the steps—from investigation and medical treatment to demand letters and negotiations.
While every case is different, you should receive an honest assessment of potential timelines and whether settlement or trial is more likely.
What happens if I wait too long?
According to O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33, Georgia law typically gives you two years from the date of injury to file your claim. This deadline is absolute—wait too long, and you lose your right to compensation no matter how strong your case is.
Georgia’s filing deadline gives you two years to pursue compensation—learn more about Georgia’s statute of limitations and why missing it can permanently bar your claim.
Our firm’s extensive experience includes car accidents, catastrophic injuries, and cases handled by our wrongful death lawyers for families seeking justice after fatal accidents.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When speaking with a personal injury lawyer, avoid these missteps:
Guessing or exaggerating facts undermines your credibility. If you don’t remember something, say so. Your lawyer can investigate to fill in the gaps.
Withholding information about previous injuries, claims, or unfavorable facts will backfire when the insurance company’s investigators uncover these details during their background check.
Failing to ask follow-up questions means you might leave the consultation with lingering concerns or confusion. This is your case—make sure you understand what’s happening.
Not bringing documentation slows down the process. Even if you don’t have everything, bring what you can to help your lawyer assess your case more quickly.
⚠️ Avoid posting about the accident or activities on social media; insurers mine metadata and photos to challenge pain levels, work limits, and day-to-day restrictions.
What to Expect After the First Meeting
Once you’ve decided to work with a personal injury lawyer, here’s what typically happens:
| Phase | What Happens | Your Role |
| Investigation | We gather evidence, interview witnesses, and review accident reports | Provide requested documents and information promptly |
| Medical Treatment | You continue treating your injuries and following doctor’s orders | Attend all appointments and keep us updated on your condition |
| Demand Letter | We calculate your damages and send a formal demand to the insurance company | Review and approve the demand letter |
| Negotiations | We negotiate with the insurance company for fair compensation | Stay patient and trust the process |
| Litigation (if needed) | If negotiations fail, we file a lawsuit and prepare for trial | Participate in discovery, depositions, and trial preparation |
Your responsibilities during this process: Provide updates about your medical treatment, avoid posting about your case on social media (insurance companies monitor this), follow your doctor’s advice, and stay in touch with our team.
We’ll handle the legal work while you focus on healing.
Final Thoughts: You’re Not Alone
Talking to a personal injury lawyer doesn’t have to be intimidating. At Hawk Law Group, we’ve spent over three decades helping Georgia injury victims navigate this exact conversation. We know what you’re going through, and we’re here to listen without judgment.
Remember: there’s no such thing as a “silly question” or an unimportant detail. Everything you share helps us build a stronger case for you. The more open and honest you are during that first conversation, the better we can serve you.
You’ve already been through enough. Let us take the legal burden off your shoulders so you can focus on what matters most—your recovery and your family.
💡 Bring out-of-pocket loss proof (mileage logs, co-pays, devices, home help) to the intake; well-documented special damages often lift negotiations without additional medical care.
Contact Our Georgia Personal Injury Lawyers Today
Don’t face the aftermath of an accident alone. We have five convenient locations throughout the CSRA in Augusta, Evans, Thomson, Waynesboro, and Aiken, SC. If you can’t come to us, we’ll come to you—we offer home and hospital visits.
Call us 24/7 at 706-914-2591 to speak with our experienced Georgia personal injury lawyer. Your recovery starts with making that first call. Contact us today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I bring to my personal injury lawyer consultation?
Bring any documents related to your accident and injuries: police reports, medical records, photos of the accident scene or your injuries, insurance correspondence, and notes about what happened. If you don’t have everything, don’t worry—we can help you obtain missing documents. Just bring what you have and be prepared to discuss the accident and your injuries in detail.
How do I know if a personal injury lawyer is right for my case?
Look for a lawyer with experience handling cases similar to yours in Georgia, a track record of successful results, and a communication style that makes you feel comfortable. Ask about their trial experience—at Hawk Law Group, our reputation as experienced litigators gives you leverage from day one.
What if I already talked to the insurance company?
Tell our lawyer immediately. Insurance adjusters often try to get recorded statements from accident victims before they hire a lawyer, hoping you’ll say something that damages your claim. If you’ve already given a statement, don’t worry—we can still help. Just avoid any further communication with the insurance company and let us handle all negotiations going forward.
What is the average payout for a personal injury case in Georgia?
Settlement amounts vary widely based on the severity of injuries, available insurance coverage, lost wages, medical expenses, and other factors. Minor injury cases might settle for thousands of dollars, while catastrophic injury cases can result in millions. At Hawk Law Group, we’ve secured some of the highest verdicts and settlements in Georgia and South Carolina, including a $3.3 million wrongful death recovery and a $1.5 million catastrophic injury settlement. During your consultation, we’ll assess your specific situation and give you an honest evaluation of your case’s potential value.
Can I get a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer?
Yes. At Hawk Law Group, we offer free initial consultations to all potential clients. There’s no risk and no obligation—just an opportunity to discuss your case, ask questions, and learn about your legal options. Contact us at (706) 539-5191 to get started.