When preparing for your first consultation with an accident lawyer, it’s important to make sure you know what to bring along to get the best possible help.
When you have been in an accident, making an appointment for a consultation with an accident lawyer, is vital in understanding what your options are as well as your rights.
Being fully prepared for the meeting will be to your advantage.
Having all the correct documents ready will help the lawyer guide you in the right direction.
This is an easy-to-follow guide on what you may need to present to your accident lawyer.
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1. Accident Report of Police Report
It’s very likely that a police report would be available if law enforcement were called in with the accident.
Such a report would contain very important information about the accident, for example, if there was a statement made by the different parties involved, the location, time as well as the date of the accident.
There may also be statements from witnesses detailing how the accident happened,
Make sure you have all the statements as well as the report available, plus any other documents and photographs of the accident scene with you.
2. Medical Records and Bills
In an accident, there is a high probability of being injured, whether major or minor.
It’s important to bring all the medical records along that are connected to the accident.
This could include doctor or hospital visits, diagnostic tests, all bills, treatments, and therapy.
This would give a lawyer up-to-date information on medical bills up to that point as well as an approximate idea of future costs if long-term treatment is required.
If your injuries or the accident caused you to miss out on work and therefore income, it would be a good idea to take any documents to that extent along.
It’s also a good idea to submit proof of income and the amount that was lost due to the accident or injuries.
3. Insurance Information
Your insurance documents as well as the other party’s insurance information if accessible would help the lawyer with claims.
These documents would include insurance on your car, any correspondence with your insurer and if relevant and available, any insurance information on the other party.
This would help the lawyer to determine what you are covered for, and if this would include repairs, loss of income and medical bills.
4. Photos and Videos
It’s also a good idea to bring along any available photos or videos, taken at the scene of the accident, of injuries, or damages to vehicles.
This type of proof could be a tremendous help in assessing and upholding your case.
If any road markings or signs played a role in the accident, photographs of this would also be helpful.
5. Witness Information
Collecting information from witnesses, like their names, addresses and phone numbers would be essential.
This type of evidence would be all-important for determining fault in the case.
6. Correspondence Related to the Accident
Include any correspondence regarding the accident, such as from your or the other party’s insurance company and bills or communication from medical providers or your employer.
The lawyer could then establish what offers or negotiations have been up to that point, to build on.
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7. Personal Notes About the Accident
A written account of the accident and how it impacted your life will be very helpful.
You might want to include the timeline of the accident or other issues you might think are important for the lawyer to know.
8. List of Questions or Concerns
The meeting would be the ideal opportunity to ask about the legal process, your worries, what to expect and how long it would take.
It’s often a good idea to write down any questions you might have before the meeting to ensure you don’t forget anything during the consultation.
9. Employment Information
If your injuries resulted in missing work, the following documents may be helpful.
A statement from your workplace stating the number of days you had to take sick leave, and the impact it had on your income and responsibilities.
If applicable, also submit a plan or doctor’s notes on when you would be able to return to work.
This would be helpful in proving financial loss due to the accident.
This information can help establish the financial impact the accident has had on you.
10. Identification and Legal Documents
As with all legal proceedings with accidents, it’s wise to bring your driver’s license and any other proof of ID plus car registration or up to date road worthy documents.
This would help to confirm that you are the owner of the damaged property.
Conclusion
The very first consultation with an accident lawyer is very important in establishing how to proceed with claims and rights.
Having all the documents and information ready will help the lawyer give you the best possible advice for your case.
And don’t stress if everything is not available at the first meeting, as the lawyer can advise you and it can be submitted after the meeting.
Taking all these steps will help the accident lawyer to help you.
