Preparing Before Calling A Car Accident Attorney
The chances are that you or your loved one is a victim of an accident by the time you are thinking about calling a lawyer. The confusion that comes with such misfortunes added to the pain is enough to make you not think clearly. What to do immediately is what most people always ask, and Willens & Baez has the answers.
Call The Police
One of the most important things you should never forget to do after a car accident is to inform the police. Even when it is clear, the other party was responsible or when you incur little or minor damages and injuries. Reason being that the records the police will take either in your absence or presence will come to play a vital role in your compensation suit. See here for information about Why Car Accident Lawyers Prefer Settlement.
Get Treatment
Whether your injuries are minor or severe, the next big thing to do after a car accident is to get medical assistance. You may never know the extent of your injuries until a doctor examines you to conclude as reasonably as possible. Remember, the medical records will also inform part of your suit.
Collect Information
Depending on your state at the time of the accident, try your level best to take as necessary information as possible from the scene—details like the defendant’s name, plate number, insurer name, and so forth.
Your initial meeting with an attorney is of the utmost importance. It allows you to know more about your lawyer and how they will handle your case. Your lawyer will hold an open discussion regarding your issue at the first meeting.
Understanding the Aspects of Your Case
A personal injury lawyer will need to understand your case before deciding the next action course fully. It is through detailed questions and discussions surrounding the aspects of your case. Information about Things You Should Consider When Hiring an Injury Lawyer can be found here.
Explaining the Legal Process
An ideal injury lawyer will offer insights on how your case can proceed towards a favorable outcome. A good lawyer will walk you through the process. This way, you will understand how the lawyer will work on your behalf.
Determining Your Role in the Injury Case
Do not overlook your role in the injury case. In the initial Consultation, an injury lawyer will explain the steps you will take for your case’s success. At Willens & Baez, we encourage clients to attend all medical appointments and remain honest in every step of the process. This way, we can build a strong case and have the grounds to fight for their best interests.
When you are coming to our office for your initial personal injury consultation, we need to see enough information to make an informed decision about your case, including its likelihood of success. To do that, we need as much information as possible. The exact information you should bring depends on the circumstances of your case, but in general you should try to assemble this information:
- Accident, incident, or injury reports from police, administrators, or other officials to document when, where, and under what circumstances the accident occurred
- Medical records for treatments you received related to your injury.
- Medical bills that include both covered and out-of-pocket expenses for your injuries
- Medical leave reports or other documents that show how much time you took off work due to your injury
- Pictures of the accident location, your injuries, and vehicles or machinery involved in the accident
- Correspondence received from insurance companies, medical providers, and others about the accident or injury
- Contact information for insurance companies, other parties involved, and any witnesses with relevant information
Obviously, this could amount to a great deal of paperwork to bring. However, it’s important to bring as much as you can so that we can get an understanding of the true circumstances of your case and make a determination about the likelihood of success for you.
When we talk to you on the phone to set up the appointment, we may specify additional information relevant to your case or tell you if some information is not necessary. If you can’t find some of the relevant information, we can often help you figure out who to contact about getting copies.
