If you want to file a personal injury claim, the first step you need to take is to meet with an injury lawyer to go over the details of your case. The first meeting with a personal injury lawyer is the time to bring important documents regarding your case to let a legal professional understand your situation. The more information your lawyer has to begin with, the faster they can start to work on building a successful case.
At the Maguire Law Firm, we are dedicated to helping those in Myrtle Beach get the compensation they deserve. Before you sit down with our Myrtle Beach personal injury lawyers, here’s what you should bring to your first meeting when you hire Maguire.
What to Bring to Your Personal Injury Consultation
Before we dive into this list of documents to bring to your first meeting with a personal injury lawyer, it is important to understand one thing. Every case is different, and you may be unable to access some of this information, which is perfectly fine. Your personal injury lawyer will be able to obtain information that may be harder to get later on if you were unable to bring it yourself.
An accident report
An excellent example of a document you may not have access to is the accident report. Whether or not this is available often depends on the type of accident and if you officially reported it.
An accident report can be beneficial since it includes vital pieces of information regarding the accident and your statement. In some cases, it may even contain witness statements.
Witness information
An example of a personal injury claim is if you were in an auto accident as a result of another driver’s negligence. In a situation like this, it is always helpful if you can get the contact information of those who witnessed the accident. You can then provide your injury lawyer with this information so they can quickly contact witnesses to get their statements.
It is crucial that your personal injury lawyer is able to contact witnesses while they are still available and can clearly remember what happened.
Photo evidence
One of the most vital aspects of a personal injury claim is evidence to show that the accident damaged you or your property. A great way to showcase an accident is through photo evidence, which is very easy to capture on your phone.
If you have any photos related to your case, this is evidence you should bring to your first meeting with your lawyer. These photos could include anything from pictures at the scene of the accident, pictures of your injuries, or pictures of anything surrounding the location of the accident that could have led up to the injury.
A written statement
If you do not have an accident report to give your personal injury attorney, you will want to write a personal statement about your accident. This does not have to be very long, just a simple summary of how the accident occurred and how it has impacted your life.
A written summary ensures you have communicated the most critical information to your lawyer so that they can evaluate if they can prove fault.
Make sure you include “written for legal advice” on this statement once you have completed it.
Medical treatments
Medical treatments account for a significant portion of your overall expenses.
These are forms of damages you can recover if your lawyer is able to prove the other party is at fault. That’s why you should bring documents of the immediate medical treatment that you had as a result of the accident.
If you slipped and fell at work, you may have had to go to the emergency room to get prompt care. Or you may have had to have surgery after the fact or are undergoing physical therapy. These are examples of medical treatments you will want to have documentation for to prove your expenses.
Past and present medical records
Aside from providing medical evidence related to your injuries, you also need to give your lawyer your medical records. You should include both past and present records to show the extent of the physical injuries you have experienced. Your lawyer can use these records to show that you did not previously have health issues or any injuries related to what you are now dealing with.
Insurance information
When you meet with your lawyer, they will need your insurance information as well as the insurance information of the liable parties. If you have had any communication with these insurance companies, this is also something you should show your lawyer.
Keep in mind that you should limit your communication with insurance companies until you have hired a lawyer.
Documentation of attempts of communication, such as letters, emails, or text messages, can all be helpful.
Contact a Myrtle Beach Injury Lawyer to Schedule Your First Meeting
If you have been injured and want to file a personal injury claim, it is essential that you hire a reputable personal injury lawyer. If you can offer them important documentation related to their case, an attorney should be able to take care of the rest.
At the Maguire Law Firm, our attorneys are passionate about helping our clients maintain their rights and seek the best possible settlement. Schedule your free consultation by messaging us online or calling us at 843-894-3502.