Thousands of people are involved in personal injury accidents every year. If you are of one of the many people who has suffered injuries because of someone else’s carelessness, your first step is to schedule a consultation with a qualified personal injury lawyer. They will review the details of your case and advise you the best way to proceed. However, you shouldn’t go to the meeting empty-handed. There are several documents you need to bring to get the most out of the meeting.
Here are the things you should remember to bring to your consultation:
- Medical Bills. Whether you’ve had surgery or seen a physical therapist for your injuries, it’s important to bring all your medical bills with you to your personal injury consultation. The amount of damages you will receive in your settlement will depend a lot on your past, present and future medical bills. If you bring these medical bills with you to the meeting, your lawyer can gauge the strength of your claim.
- Questions for the Lawyer. During your initial consultation, your personal injury lawyer will ask you many questions about your case. After the lawyer is finished, you will have a chance to ask questions of your own. You’ll definitely want to find out more information about the lawyer’s skills and experience. For example, you may want to ask the lawyer how many years of experience they have in personal injury lawyer and where they attended law school. You may also want to find out how many cases they’re currently working on right now and if they believe your case is strong or not. If you don’t feel completely comfortable with your lawyer after asking these questions, you shouldn’t hesitate to speak to another lawyer.
- Journal Entries About Your Accident. Memories can fade pretty quickly, so it’s important to write down pertinent details about the accident as soon as possible. For example, you’ll want to write down how the accident occurred and how you felt immediately afterward. You’ll also want to include how much pain you’ve experienced from your injury and how it has affected your life. Your lawyer can look over these journal entries and gauge the likelihood of proving fault in court.
- Photos from the Accident Scene. As the old saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. Photos are one of the most important pieces of evidence you can have in your personal injury claim. For instance, if you were in a car accident, you’ll want to take photos of the damage to your vehicle, other vehicles involved in the accident and any traffic signs. You lawyer can assess these photos and determine if they can help your claim or not.
If you suffered an injury, schedule a meeting with an experienced personal injury lawyer Memphis, TN trusts as soon as possible. Many lawyers offer free initial consultations, so you have nothing to lose by setting up a consultation with one.
Thank you to our friends and contributors at Patterson Bray for their insight into personal injury claims and what you should bring to your consultation.
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