What Actually Happens at a Free Personal Injury Consultation in Hialeah
A free personal injury consultation is a private conversation, not a courtroom, not a deposition, where you describe what happened and a lawyer tells you honestly what your legal options look like. You pay nothing, you are not hiring anyone, and you can walk away at the end with no obligation. The whole meeting can happen in Spanish, at the Hialeah office, by phone, or wherever you are, including your home or a hospital room.
A free personal injury consultation is a private conversation, not a courtroom, not a deposition, where you describe what happened and a lawyer tells you honestly what your legal options look like. You pay nothing, you are not hiring anyone, and you can walk away at the end with no obligation. The whole meeting can happen in Spanish, at the Hialeah office, by phone, or wherever you are, including your home or a hospital room.
Who will I actually talk to, and how long does it take?
You speak directly with an attorney, not a call screener or paralegal. This is not a sales pitch or an interrogation. It is a conversation where the lawyer listens to your story and explains what Florida law says about your situation. You can meet at our office at 1840 W 49th St #734 in Hialeah, by phone, at your home, or even at your hospital bedside if you are still recovering. The entire consultation can be conducted in Spanish. No pressure. No paperwork to sign that day. Just facts and options.
What questions will the lawyer ask me?
The lawyer needs enough detail to assess whether you have a valid claim under Florida law. Expect questions about:
- Where and how the crash happened (e.g., intersection of Okeechobee Road and Palm Avenue)
- Whether police responded, who they cited, and if you have the crash report number
- Medical treatment: when you first saw a doctor (critical for the 14-day PIP rule under FS 627.736), your diagnosis, and ongoing symptoms
- Whether you gave a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster (insurers can use these to dispute claims)
- Whether you posted anything about the crash on social media (insurers monitor this closely)
- Whether any vehicle involved was commercial, rideshare, rental, or government-owned
- Insurance coverage on all vehicles, including your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage
Not having every answer is fine. The lawyer’s job is to help piece together the facts, not quiz you.
Is what I say confidential?
Communications during a consultation with an attorney are generally treated as confidential under attorney-client privilege principles. That generally means what you tell the lawyer is kept confidential, subject to limited legal exceptions; if you have concerns, ask the lawyer at the start. This is not true with insurance adjusters. Anything you say in a recorded statement to an insurer can, and often will, be used to reduce or deny your claim. Adjusters often act quickly, and the longer you wait, the easier it can be for an insurer to argue you weren’t really hurt.
What can the lawyer actually tell me on day one, and what can’t they tell me yet?
On day one, the lawyer can tell you whether your description suggests a viable claim under Florida law. They can explain which insurance applies: your own PIP first (FS 627.736(4)(e)), then a relative’s if you live together, and only then the other driver’s PIP if you’re a pedestrian with no coverage. They can review whether UM/UIM coverage might apply (FS 627.727), clarify that you have two years to file suit under FS 95.11 for injuries on or after March 24, 2023, and explain how modified comparative negligence (FS 768.81) affects your case.
They cannot tell you a dollar value. A dollar value cannot be estimated responsibly before reviewing medical records and bills. They also cannot yet confirm whether your injuries meet the permanent-injury threshold required for pain-and-suffering damages under FS 627.737(2).
If they offer to take my case, what am I signing and what does it cost?
If you decide to move forward, you sign a written fee agreement, but you never have to sign on the spot. The fee is contingent: you owe no attorney fee unless money is recovered for you. There are no upfront costs. The agreement explains what percentage applies and which expenses may be deducted from any recovery. For a full explanation of how the fee is calculated and what costs are deducted, see. You always have time to read, ask questions, and decide.
What happens in the days after you sign?
Once you sign, the firm immediately sends notice to all insurers that you are represented, adjusters must now communicate through us, not you. We request the crash report (accessible under FS 316.066 even within the 60-day confidentiality window), preserve video footage, collect witness statements, and begin gathering medical records. We track your treatment, lost wages, and out-of-pocket costs. Your job is simple: follow your doctor’s plan, keep all bills and notes, and do not speak to any insurance representative directly. Acting fast protects evidence that disappears quickly, like store security footage that may be automatically deleted after a short time.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to decide right away if I want to hire the lawyer?
No. Take the time you need. There is no deadline to decide at the end of the consultation. Review your options, talk to family, and call back when you are ready.
What if I already gave a recorded statement to the insurance adjuster before calling?
Tell the lawyer exactly what you said. It is common, and not necessarily fatal to your claim. But going forward, do not give another statement without legal guidance.
Can I have this consultation in Spanish?
Yes. All consultations can be fully conducted in Spanish at our Hialeah office, over the phone, or wherever you are.
What if I don’t have all my medical records or the police report yet?
That is normal. Most people do not. The lawyer works with what you know and helps get the missing pieces later.
What if the lawyer says I don’t have a strong case?
You still get straight answers, and no bill. Sometimes the law sets hard limits, like the permanent-injury requirement for pain and suffering. Knowing that early saves you time, stress, and false hope.
Related reading: The attorneys who answer the phone · How long does a personal injury case take in Miami-Dade? · The 14-day PIP rule in Florida: what happens if you wait to see a doctor after a Hialeah car accident · How long do I have to file an injury lawsuit in Florida? The two-year rule after HB 837
Hurt in an accident in Hialeah? Call Wolfson & Leon at (305) 285-7071 for a free consultation. We speak Spanish, and there is no fee unless we win.
Key facts
- Florida gives most injury victims two years from the date of the accident to file a negligence lawsuit (for injuries on or after March 24, 2023). Source: Florida Statutes § 95.11
- PIP pays 80 percent of reasonable medical bills and 60 percent of lost income up to $10,000 if a doctor finds an emergency medical condition, but only if the injured person seeks treatment within 14 days of the crash. Source: Florida Statutes § 627.736
- Recovery is reduced by the injured person's share of fault and barred entirely only if they are found MORE THAN 50 percent at fault. Source: Florida Statutes § 768.81(6)
- Pain and suffering compensation from an at-fault driver requires proof of a permanent injury, significant scarring, or significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function. Source: Florida Statutes § 627.737(2)
- The crash report is confidential for 60 days after a Florida crash except to the parties involved, their insurers, and their lawyers. Source: Florida Statutes § 316.066
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to decide right away if I want to hire the lawyer?
No. A free consultation creates no obligation to hire the firm. You can take time to think, compare firms, or ask more questions before signing anything. No reputable personal injury lawyer will pressure you to sign a representation agreement during the same conversation. The point of the meeting is to give you clear information so you can make a confident decision on your own timeline.
What if I already gave a recorded statement to the insurance adjuster before calling?
Tell the lawyer immediately, this is one of the first things they will ask. A recorded statement can be used by the insurer to minimize or deny your claim, but it does not automatically end your case. The lawyer needs to know exactly what was said so they can account for it in the strategy going forward. This is one reason attorneys advise calling a lawyer before speaking to any adjuster.
Can I have this consultation in Spanish?
Yes. The entire consultation at Wolfson & Leon can be conducted in Spanish. You can speak with the attorney in Spanish whether you meet at the Hialeah office at 1840 W 49th St #734, by phone, at your home, or at the hospital. You do not need to find a translator or prepare in English.
What if I don't have all my medical records or the police report yet?
Bring whatever you have and don't let missing documents stop you from calling. The lawyer can still evaluate your situation from what you describe, and the firm can obtain records, crash reports, and other documents on your behalf after you sign. Under Florida law, the crash report is confidential for 60 days but is accessible to you, your insurer, and your legal representatives during that period.
What if the lawyer says I don't have a strong case?
An honest evaluation is still valuable. If the lawyer declines to take the case, they should explain why, whether it is a coverage issue, a liability dispute, a deadline concern, or a damages question. That information helps you decide what to do next. A decline does not automatically mean your injuries are not real or that you have no options; it may simply mean that particular case does not meet the threshold for litigation.
This article is general information about Florida law, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. For advice about your situation, call Wolfson & Leon at (305) 285-7071 for a free consultation.
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