# Step 1 — Talk to a Lawyer

**Phase:** Getting Started
**Summary:** Tell us what happened. Discuss the accident, injuries, and next steps.
**Video:** /Videos/01.mp4
**Duration:** 137s

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I'm Justin Weinstein, founding partner of Weinstein legal team. Welcome to the start of your settlement journey. For many people, this is the first time they've ever spoken with a personal injury attorney. If you're not quite sure what to expect, that's completely normal. This meeting is where we begin understanding what happened from your perspective. We'll talk through how the accident occurred. What you experienced in the hours and days afterward, and what has changed since. We'll ask about those injuries, your symptoms and the medical care you've received so far. We'll also discuss your property damage. That portion of your case includes vehicle repairs, total loss concerns, rental coverage, and communication with the insurance carrier so you understand how those pieces are handled alongside your injury claim. If you've already spoken with an insurance adjuster, we'll discuss those conversations as well. Details matter throughout your entire case. Things that may seem small or unimportant to you sometimes carry legal significance. If you have documents such as photos, a crash report, discharge paperwork, insurance letters, please have them handy for reference. Getting documents organized early helps create clarity now and prevent delays later in the process. One of the questions many clients have is how legal fees work. And we address that clearly during this meeting. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no upfront legal fees. Our fee comes from a recovery, and only if we obtain a settlement or verdict on your behalf. By the end of this consultation, you should have clarity. What does the process typically involve? What timelines should you be aware of? What decisions need to be made and when? This is also your opportunity to ask questions about communication, expectations, or anything that's been weighing on you. When you leave this meeting, you should feel informed and confident in whatever decision you make next. In the next video, we'll walk you through that process of what happens when you retain our firm and we move forward with your case.