After you are in a car accident, you may experience much worry and pain about the situation and your future. Also, you could have feelings of being overwhelmed as you go to doctor’s appointments, try to keepup with your job or school and generally goabout the daily activities of life. You may not want to worry about talking to a personal injury attorney. But if the accident was caused by someone else, you need to have that conversation. Filing a personal injury lawsuit could get you the compensation you need to pay your medical bills, obtain lost wages and move on with your life.
To ensure the meeting with the attorney goes well, there is one thing you need to know above all else. There are some other things to know, too, but the first thing to know is:
Know Whether The Attorney Is Experienced in Car Accident Personal Injury
Would you hire a plumber to do your electrical work? Probably not. The same reasoning applies with your car accident case. You should only hire an experienced car accident personal injury attorney to handle your claim. There are many areas of the law, but you surely don’t want a divorce attorney working on your personal injury case.
To get an idea of whether the attorney has experience in car accident lawsuits and claims, you should be prepared with a list of questions:
- How many auto accident cases has the attorney handled in his career? What is his record with car accident settlements and verdicts?
- Has he or she handled a car accident case like yours? For instance, suing a trucking freight company is different from suing the driver of car.
- How often has the attorney gone to trial, and what is their record there?
- How does the attorney communicate with clients and how often?
- What is the fee arrangement? A typical set up is a 1/3 contingency fee if the case settles or has a successful verdict.
Other things that you will want to know before meeting with your attorney include:
Clear Memories of the Accident
To win your car accident case, you have to have strong evidence. You ideally need witnesses who can testify about what happened. You are a key witness, even if you are not entirely objective. As soon as you can, take the time to sit down and write about the accident details. Write down the accident date; time of day; location; weather; road conditions; how it took place; and what you did just before the accident.
Don’t worry if you do not remember everything, especially if you suffered a head injury or are in pain. But your attorney needs as much information as you can recall. Write it all down.
The Details of the Police Report
The police report is a key piece of evidence about the car accident. It should have information about witnesses to the accident and the identity of every car and person involved. The police officer may also have made a preliminary determination of fault in the crash.
Pictures of the Crash Scene
It will help your case if you have photos of the car accident scene, the vehicles involved, and your injuries. These pictures will be very useful if an accident reconstructionist is used in a trial or claim, to determine who was at fault.
Proof of Injuries
You cannot be compensated in a personal injury lawsuit unless you suffered provable losses. You should collect your medical records, prescriptions and medical bills before you meet with your attorney.
The Bottom Line
There are very important things you need to know and have on hand before you meet with your personal injury attorney. If you take care of the above details, you will find that your chances of having a successful lawsuit or claim are much higher.