Your initial consultation with your personal injury attorney can help set the stage for how successful your case ends up being.

Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to ensure the meeting is as productive as possible. Some of them begin even before you call an attorney, though we do encourage you to call us as quickly as possible.

Evidence

If you’ve been a cataclysmic accident, you may not be in any shape to document evidence, and if that’s the case, that’s okay.

However, if you’re awake and lucid enough to do so, then you should do everything in your power to gather as much evidence as possible. Take photographs of the accident scene. Get the name and number of the other driver, along with their insurance policy.

Get the names and numbers of any witnesses. Secure a police report.

Some of this evidence will start disappearing within hours of your case, so it’s a good idea to gather as much as you can, while you can. This is especially true if you’re going to be going up against a big corporation.

We can do a lot with gathering video evidence or with hiring accident reconstructionists, but getting photos when the accident is fresh is very helpful.

If you gathered this information, bring all of it with you to your consultation.

Medical Care

Get medical treatment, and follow all of your doctor’s orders.

If your doctor says you need a particular treatment or surgery, don’t be afraid to pursue it. Theoretically, your personal injury case will pay for it.

If you’re not sure, get a lawyer while you’re making the decision. Your lawyer can advise you as to whether or not you have a case that has a good chance of winning.

Medical Records

Your medical bills, including all of the specialist, testing, and x-ray bills, are all going to form the basis of your personal injury case. Save those and bring them with you when you visit with our office.

You should also save any prescription instructions or discharge instructions. Some of them will help form the basis for your pain and suffering claims.

Work Records

If getting into an accident means that you had to take off of work to heal and recover, then it’s vital for you to bring your tax returns and W2s, as well as information about any workplace benefits you may receive. This will also help if your accident was catastrophic enough to ensure that you will be unable to work in the future.

If you are self-employed, bring tax returns and invoices.

If you are unemployed, but seeking work, bring evidence of your past career, including your resume and any applications you’ve put in recently.

Journaling

Document how your injury impacts your day-to-day life.

Did chronic pain make it impossible for you to clean your house or play with your kids today? Document that.

Those daily journals will make a big difference when making your pain and suffering claim.

Don’t Wait

Did you know you can call a personal injury attorney before you’ve even left the hospital?

The sooner you bring us in on your case, the stronger your case is likely to be.

Reach out to our office to schedule your appointment today.