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information to consumers, injured
people, and their families. Our goal is
to level the playing field between
consumers and insurance companies
and expose the tricks, traps, and
techniques they use to cheat injured
people out of their legal rights. We
also let consumers know about legal
news, including verdicts and
settlements and other interesting
legal information.
But please understand that nothing on
this website is meant to provide legal
information about your specific case,
create an attorney-client relationship,
or imply that the results of your legal
case will be the same as some other
case.
TEN CRITICAL ITEMS to bring to your first meeting with a lawyer regarding your personal injury case
Whether your case involves an 18 wheeler accident, car accident, offshore or maritime injury, Jones Act claim, or other type of personal injury accident, you undoubtedly have many things your potential lawyer will need to see in order to properly evaluate your case and make sure you walk away with reasonable expectations on your case.
So, before you meet with an attorney on your personal injury case, gather the following items and make sure you bring them to the meeting for the lawyer to review with you:
1. Items from police officers. If your case involves an 18 wheeler or car accident, you may have a copy of the police report. The police report usually contains information on how your wreck happened, and on who caused the wreck. It should also identify the parties involved in the crash. If the police report has not yet been completed, the officers should have provided you with an information sheet the provides basic information on who was involved in the crash, as well as insurance information.
2. Items from the company. If your case involves a Jones Act injury, offshore or maritime accident, or other work injury, many times your employer and other involved companies will prepare an accident report. These accident reports usually contain information on how your injury happened, and what caused your accident.
3. Medical reports. If you have already seen a doctor, get reports from the doctor and bring them for the lawyer to review. Medical records will document your injuries, and may also contain useful information about how your accident happened.
4. Pictures. If yours is an 18 wheeler or car accident case, get pictures of your car. The damage pattern to your car is important in a consideration of how the wreck happened, and it will also demonstrate how bad the wreck was. In other types of cases, get pictures of the accident scene and of any equipment involved in your accident. The old saying is true: a picture is worth a thousand words.
5. Income documents. You may have a claim for missing work, which is called "lost wages." In order to bring a claim for lost wages, your lawyer needs to be able to show what kind of money you were making before the wreck. Bring any wage statements from your prior employers, as well as any tax returns you have filed (the last five years should be adequate for starters) and any Social Security statements you may have.
6. Identification materials. Bring your driver's license, as well as any other work or vocational licenses you may hold. The attorney needs to document your identification numbers, date of birth, etc.
7. Communications related to your accident. Any type of communication, from anyone, concerning your accident. This could be from the other person that hit your car, from your employer, from an insurance company, etc. It is important for the lawyer to see what others are saying about your case.
8. Insurance materials. In 18 wheeler or car crash cases, if you have car insurance, bring your car insurance policy. If you cannot find it, contact your car insurance agent and they can provide you with a copy. Also, if you have health insurance, bring any reports or letters from your health insurance company.
9. Workers compensation materials. If your accident was on the job, you may be receiving workers compensation benefits or longshore benefits. Bring any insurance materials or letters relating to the benefits you are receiving.
10. SEVEN CRITICAL QUESTIONS. Print out the following report on our law firm website: SEVEN CRITICAL QUESTIONS you should ask any lawyer before hiring them for your personal injury case. Bring this list with you to the meeting with the attorney so you will not forget to ask any of these important questions.
If you have any questions about any of these materials or about hiring a lawyer for your accident and injury case, please do not hesitate to contact us through this website or call us Toll Free: 877 724 7800.