What Should I Bring to My First Meeting with a Lawyer?
After a personal injury incident, your first meeting with a lawyer helps lay the groundwork of your case. During this meeting, you’ll share as many details of your accident as possible and present whatever evidence you have. The attorney will use this information to evaluate your case and help you plan a strategy forward. To facilitate this process and make the most of your time, here’s what you should bring to your first consultation with a personal injury attorney.
Documentation related to the accident
Hopefully, you’ve been gathering copies of all paperwork, photos and other documentation pertinent to your accident. Bring whatever you’ve collected to your appointment, as this information can eventually be used to prove fault. Copies of any or all of the following would be extremely helpful:- Police report of the accident
- Written statements from you and the other party
- Names and contact information of all people involved in the accidents, and any statements they made
- Names and contact information of witnesses and copies of their statements
- Your insurance policy
- Insurance information for the other party
- Any photos or videos of the accident scene that could be used as evidence
- Records of any correspondence you’ve had with the defendant or the defendant’s insurance company thus far
Documentation Related to Your Injuries and Loss
The documentation you provide that is related to your own injury will eventually be used to determine how much loss you’ve sustained and help the attorney determine how much to ask for in damages. Injury-related documentation may include, as applicable:- Names of all medical personnel and addresses of facilities that treated you, from the ambulance service to the hospital and doctors
- Medical documentation of treatment you’ve received
- Medical records related to your prognosis
- Medical bills and receipts
- Insurance statements
- Receipts for incidental expenses related to the accident (e.g., hotel, meals, etc.)
- Dates you’ve missed work so far
- Invoices, estimates and receipts for repairs to your personal property