If you have been involved in a car accident for the first time, there are many questions you might have about insurance, medical bills and missing time from work. Here are a few suggestions for you so that you can make the most of your time in your first meeting with an attorney.
What should I bring?
There are a few critical documents that can be reviewed by an attorney to evaluate your injury case. One document is a copy of a police report which can be obtained from the department that responded to the scene of your accident. The police report will provide information about the drivers involved, as well as witnesses’ and insurance information. In addition, most officers will provide details regarding the circumstances of the crash and statements made by the at-fault driver. This information will be critical in conducting additional investigation into the circumstances and determining the cause of the crash. Photographs of the scene of the collision, the vehicles involved, and your injuries (if any) may also be helpful for your attorney to review.
Other important documents you should bring to the first meeting include copies of any medical records or bills. Your medical records will provide information regarding your injuries and medical treatment. Finally, if you have any correspondence from the at-fault driver’s insurance company, your automobile insurance company, and/or your health insurance company, those documents should be reviewed as well.
What questions should I ask and what questions will I be asked?
We encourage any potential client to ask our attorneys questions, no matter how simple or complicated. Oftentimes, we will be asked to provide assessments regarding the value of your case, or how soon it can be resolved. These circumstances vary from case to case, and will depend on the extent of your injuries, medical bills, and lost time from work. The more information that you provide us, the better we may be able to assist you.
You may also be asked questions about the accident and other driver involved so that we may better understand your case. In addition, you may be asked about other automobile accidents and injuries you have had. Some questions may be directed toward understanding your medical history and doctors you have previously seen. Even if you have had prior accidents or a complicated medical history, it is important to discuss these issues with your attorney so that they can get a full understanding of the injuries you sustained in the car crash and what they mean for your case.
Will the lawyer take my case?
After we are able to obtain all of the information about the accident, your injuries and any prior medical history, our attorneys will be able to provide you with an evaluation of your case. Many times, this will depend on your current treatment with your medical providers. If you are actively seeing doctors, the extent of your injuries may not be known. Therefore, much of the initial work will involve investigating the case, including contacting witnesses and obtaining your initial medical records.
If you have finished with your medical treatment and the extent of your injuries is known, it is likely we will be able to provide you with a full assessment of the likelihood of recovery, the expected compensation and recommendations about how to proceed toward either settling the case or filing a lawsuit.
Where should I go from here?
After you have met with an attorney and feel confident in his or her experience, you may be asked to sign documents including a client-attorney contract and authorizations to obtain your medical records. The good news is that your case is now in the hands of an experienced attorney that you trust. At that point, your attorney will provide you with additional information regarding the litigation and/or settlement process with the insurance company.
If you have been involved in an automobile accident, our attorneys at Spesia & Taylor will provide you with a free legal consultation to review your case. We are here to answer any questions you might have and walk you through the process. Please feel free to contact us, our experienced attorneys are here to help.
Contact us today for a free legal consultation at (815) 726-4311
