How to Prepare for Your Consultation with a Car Accident Attorney

If you have been seriously injured in a wreck through no fault of your own, it is advisable to consult a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. However, chances are you’ve never needed a lawyer in such a scenario and are unsure of how to prepare for the first case exam.

While your legal team handles all of the logistics of your claim, you can ensure it gets off to a good start by following the steps below before your consultation:

1. Gather all the evidence you’ve already received

Your legal team will conduct a thorough investigation to gather evidence of liability to all responsible parties. You can add to their endeavors by collating all of the evidence already received and including it in your case review, including:

• Photos of the scene;
• dash cam material;
• Testimony from eyewitnesses; and
• The official police report.

2. Create relevant medical records

Bring all hospital logs, diagnostic images, prescriptions, and other relevant medical records with you to your initial consultation. These documents will help your attorney assess the extent of the damage (and what types of experts he or she may need to consult to prove it).

3. Start a Personal Injury Journal

Detailed entries on the impact of your injuries on your daily life will help validate your non-monetary losses such as pain and suffering. It is advisable to keep a diary as soon as possible (preferably on the day of the accident).

For the first entry, write down everything you can remember about the incident in question. And remember: no detail is too small to include.

For all subsequent entries, write down the effects your condition has on your quality of life. Make sure you bring this journal to your consultation for your attorney to review.

4. Keep all correspondence with the other party

If you are contacted by the liable party (or their insurer), you should avoid contacting them until you obtain legal advice. In the meantime, save all correspondence you receive, including emails, letters, and voicemails, and take them to your case review for your lawyer to review.

5. Write down any questions you have

During the initial consultation, your attorney will ask all sorts of questions to determine if you have grounds for a claim and, if so, how best to proceed. However, you also have the option to ask your own questions to confirm that you have found the right lawyer for your case. Since you may be inundated with information during the meeting, it is a good idea to write down all of these questions in advance so that you cannot miss any of them.

Call 800-770-7008 to discuss your case with a Minneapolis auto accident attorney

At Bradshaw & Bryant, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll that unexpected injuries can place on the entire family. If you’ve been hit by a drunk, distracted, or otherwise reckless driver, we’ll help you get compensation for the damage so you can get your life back on track. Call 800-770-7008 or use our online contact form to schedule a free consultation with a Minneapolis auto accident attorney.