When you meet with a personal injury attorney for a consultation about your injury claim, it is important to bring as much information as you can so that the attorney can evaluate your case.
The following is a list of documents that are important to keep and bring to your personal injury consultation.
1. Police or Incident Report
If there is a police or incident reported associated with your injury claim, obtain it as soon as possible and bring it to your consultation. If you are unsure as to whether there is a report or you just don’t have it yet, the attorneys at the Edward A Smith Law Offices can help find out if there is a report and get it for you.
2. Medical Documentation and Provider Information
If you were injured, most likely you sought medical care with either your family physician, an urgent care facility, hospital or clinic. It is important to write down the contact information for any doctor that you received treatment from. Often, after an auto accident, a person feels overwhelmed and stressed and may not always remember all of the details. Medical providers often give discharge records or care instructions, prescriptions or medical referrals for x-rays or to another specialist. It is best to keep all accident related medical documentation in one place so that when it comes time to meeting with your Sacramento personal injury lawyer, you will have all the information readily available.
3. Insurance Information
Your personal injury attorney can determine what is covered under your insurance policies if you bring your policies with you to the consultation. Oftentimes, there is coverage available to an injured person for medical costs or lost wages under their insurance polices that a person may not be aware of. This includes auto insurance, health insurance and home owners or renters insurance.
4. Communication or Correspondence from the party who injured you.
If the person who injured you or their insurance company has sent you letters, e-mails, voice mails or even text messages, bring a copy or recording to your consultation.
5. Photographs
The phrase “a picture is worth a thousand words” is particularly true in personal injury cases. Photos of the damage to your car, the accident scene, your injuries or any other evidence will help your claim.
6. Bills and Receipts.
If you claim any expenses associated with your injury claim, you need to keep those bills and receipts. These include bills and receipts for any medical treatment you received even if it has already been paid including receipts for prescriptions or crutches. Also, bring any repair bills or invoices for any damage to your vehicle, rental car receipts and any other accident related expense. If you are not sure whether an expense is related to your injury claim, the best policy is to save the bill or receipt and bring it with you to your consultation.
7. Lost Wages
If you missed work as a result of your injury, even if you used vacation time or sick leave, you need to bring your pay stubs, W-2 forms and any off work slips given to you by a doctor or hospital. If you are self-employed you need to bring invoices and income tax returns.
Even if you don’t have any of the above information, contact the personal injury lawyers at the Edward A Smith Law Offices for a free evaluation of your injury claim and we can quickly gather these items for you.