How To Prepare for a Meeting With Your Car Accident Attorney

Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident is inconvenient at best and traumatic at worst. The aftermath can put you under tremendous financial strain, from medical expenses to car repair bills. Not to mention the time away from work for injuries and stressful legal proceedings.

In some cases, you may need legal representation to file a lawsuit against another driver or the insurance company. It helps to prepare for your first meeting with your car accident attorney to start the process on the right foot and protect your legal rights.

What To Bring to a Meeting With a Car Accident Attorney

There’s no such thing as too much documentation when you see your attorney for an initial consultation for a car accident case. The more detail you can give and the more evidence you have to back up your claims, the stronger the case your attorney can make.

Important things to bring to the meeting include:

• Photos or videos of the scene of the accident, including property damage, road conditions, and injuries
• The other driver’s license and insurance information and phone number
• Your insurance policy, insurance coverage, and your insurance claim
• Police report or auto accident report
• Witness statements and contact information
• Medical records and information about your medical providers
• Car repair bills and reports
• Pay stubs if you missed work because of the accident

If you are not sure whether something is relevant, bring it. If you continue getting information, like more bills for medical care, share the documents with your attorney.

Document the Accident’s Details

You may want to do some prep work before your initial meeting. If you didn’t write down what happened immediately after the accident, do so before your appointment. The details are important, and your memory can fade over time. Write down the details while they are fresh in your mind.

Details may include:

• Estimated speed at the time of the accident
• Location of the collision and time of day
• Road conditions and the weather
• Traffic signals, lights, and signs
• Where the other driver came from

Write down anything you can remember about the event. It’s important to be honest with your attorney. Leaving out details because you think they make you look responsible won’t prevent the other side from bringing them up. You want your car accident attorney to be prepared to defend you against any claims.

What To Expect During a Meeting With a Car Accident Attorney

Your attorney will review all your documentation and ask you to talk about what you remember about the accident. Don’t worry about knowing what you have to say; your lawyer will ask you follow-up questions or tell you how to find more information if necessary.

Your attorney will discuss your legal options and goals for the case, including getting a settlement offer or taking your case to trial. Your attorney can explain relevant rules and procedures that could affect the outcome, like the statute of limitations. Your attorney will likely also tell you the next steps and how to discuss the issue with your insurance company.

What Questions Do You Want To Ask the Attorney?

Make a list of questions you want to ask during your meeting. If you haven’t decided whether to hire this attorney, make sure they are right for you by how they answer your questions.

• Will you be the one personally handling my case?
• How much experience do you have with this type of car accident injury case?
• How much is my personal injury lawsuit worth?
• How will you keep me updated about my case?
• Can you talk to the auto insurance adjusters for me?
• What is the fee arrangement for this case?

Find the right personal injury attorney to represent you in your personal injury case. A skilled car accident lawyer can make the difference in whether you can recover the financial compensation you need and deserve for your medical bills, property damage, lost income, and pain and suffering.