After getting involved in a motor vehicle collision, you should take several steps to help build a case to receive compensation. First, you call 911 to alert the appropriate law enforcement agency about the crash. Second, you should seek medical care to diagnose and treat every injury that results from the accident. Then, obtain the contact information from witnesses and take photographs of the accident scene by using your cell phone. The most important step involves contacting an experienced personal injury lawyer to schedule a free consultation.
Personal injury cases extend well beyond motor vehicle collisions. If you are a victim of a slip and fall, medical negligence, or a defective product, a personal injury attorney can help you recover your financial losses. The key is to come prepared for the free consultation by knowing what information to give to your personal injury lawyer.
Accident Report
An accident report is a crucial document that provides your attorney with information such as the date and time of the personal injury incident, as well as where the incident took place. If you cannot obtain a copy of the accident report, your personal injury lawyer contacts the appropriate source to obtain it. An accident report should help your personal injury lawyer determine the cause of the incident and whether another party committed one or more acts of negligence.
Photographs of the Incident Scene
Photographs can reveal plenty of useful information, such as where a personal injury incident took place. For car accident cases, law enforcement officials typically include photographic evidence in the official police report. For other types of personal injury cases, you should be proactive and take photos of the incident scene. You also should request video camera tape that might help your attorney determine the cause.
Witness Contact Information
Witness statements provide support for the physical evidence collected at the scene of the personal injury incident. You do not have to interview witnesses after a personal injury incident. Just write down the names and contact information for your attorney to reference. Your personal injury lawyer should interview witnesses as close to the date of the incident as possible to receive the most accurate accounts of what transpired before, during, and after the personal injury incident.
Medical Records
Medical bills by far represent the costliest expense associated with a personal injury incident. The costs associated with diagnostic tests, treatment programs, and physical therapy sessions can soar into the tens of thousands of dollars. Your personal injury lawyer needs copies of medical records to convince an insurance adjuster to approve a compensation claim. Copies of medical records also play a role in a judge determining the value of the compensation awarded during a civil trial.
Insurance Information
When you meet with a personal injury lawyer for a free consultation, the lawyer needs to review your insurance information to determine the extent of your coverage. You also should provide a personal injury lawyer with the insurance information of the other party or parties. Although you should not contact your insurance company until you speak with an attorney, make sure to tell your lawyer if you did reach out to your insurance company.
Before you meet for a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer, ask the attorney what information you need to bring to the first meeting.
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