What to Bring When You Meet Your Personal Injury Attorney
Experiencing an accident resulting in personal injury or in the injury of a loved one is stressful enough, without the added stress of having to learn how to proceed with a personal injury case. If you’re trying to receive compensation from an accident, legal representation can be a beneficial asset. Though this can initially feel overwhelming, getting all your proper documentation in order before meeting with your attorney can help streamline the entire process and minimize unnecessary stress. Equipped with the proper documents, they can best assist you and your case so you can focus on getting better.
But what documents do you need? To make the process more manageable, listed below are helpful documents to bring when meeting with your personal injury attorney for the first time.
Medical Records
Medical records pertaining to injuries sustained during the accident and any treatment received are critical information for a personal injury case. This documentation provides a record of the severity of the injury and how much treatment was required, as well as proof of treatment corresponding with the date of the accident. This information is foundational in establishing that the injury is real and required medical treatment and that the treatment is directly related to the accident.
Bring any bills or doctor’s notes, as well as any photographs. If you’re uncertain if it’s relevant, bring it anyway. It’s best to have comprehensive documentation. Bring any relevant paperwork received from visits to the hospital, doctor’s office, physical therapist, or specialist.
Witness Contact Information
After you have been in an accident, it’s important to get the contact information of anyone who witnessed the accident and is willing to provide their information. Make a record of their full name, address, and phone number. If there are any written statements involved, bring copies of those as well. If you don’t have any statements, the contact information will help your personal injury attorney obtain any necessary statements.
Accident Report
If you were in an accident caused by another person, filing a police report is helpful in establishing who is at fault. The accident will be on record and the police may investigate if necessary. Both parties’ claims will be on record in detail as well as a description of the scene. If you have any photos from the scene, including photos of your injury or damage to your property, bring them as well. Both the accident report and any relevant photos taken will be an aid to verifying your claim.
Insurance Information
You will also want to report your injury or accident to your insurance provider. Keep records of any correspondence with your provider. Make copies of emails exchanged and make notes of phone conversations, including dates and with whom you spoke. If another party is at fault, you will need their insurance information as well.
When meeting with your attorney, make sure to bring copies of your insurance policy. If you were in a car accident, you’ll need to include a copy of your automobile insurance policy.
Financial Records
Make sure to keep records of any costs you have incurred as a result of your injury and any other related damage. This means saving receipts for medical bills or repairs for damaged property. If you had to buy any goods or services because of your injury, keep the receipts. If you had anything fixed because of an accident, keep those receipts as well.
You should also keep track of lost wages. If you lost any time from work due to your injury, bring documents that show what dates you missed and the pay lost from missed work. These could include pay stubs, payroll documents, or your W-2 form. Make sure to keep a log of any dates you missed from work, even if you can’t find supporting paperwork.
Personal Account
In addition to official documents, it’s helpful to keep a written journal detailing the events related to your injury and any other pertinent information. Keep records of your injuries and any damage through writings and photos. It may be helpful to get a notebook dedicated to journaling and detailing injuries, damage, symptoms you’re experiencing, as well as your experiences.
A key element to include in your personal recordings is a timeline of events. It’s easy to forget details or get the order of events mixed up, especially as time passes. Writing down your personal account will help you remember the details of what happened: when it took place, the order of events, what and how it happened. This will not only help you remember what happened, but it will also help you present the important facts of your case to your personal injury attorney.
Additional Information
Other important information to include in your personal account are the names, addresses, and numbers of services obtained or other parties involved. This can include the ambulance service, emergency room, business addresses and names of doctors or specialists who treated you, witnesses, insurance adjusters you spoke with, other people involved in the accident, and anyone else you spoke to about the injury or accident. Make sure to include the dates you were admitted to the hospital or emergency room and dates of work missed.
If you have any questions or need advice, contact our expert team at Warren Allen LLP. Our firm offers legal representation as well as advice for anyone who has been affected by an accident. We will help you to receive compensation and the best resolution possible. If you don’t have legal representation, an insurance company may attempt to minimize the amount you receive. Contact our firm today and find the representation and advice you need, as well as the best options available to you.
Personal injury because of an accident can be scary and overwhelming without proper support and help. However, the right tools and people in your corner can mitigate the entire process. Equipped with the proper documents and a skilled attorney, you can better obtain proper compensation with peace of mind during this trying time.