How to Prepare for Your First Meeting with a Personal Injury Attorney
If you’re planning on enlisting legal help before proceeding with a personal injury claim, you’re on the right track. After all, you have enough to worry about without having to investigate the accident, dig up evidence, track damages, or correspond with the liable party.
Chances are you’ve never worked with a personal injury attorney, though, so you’re not entirely sure what to expect. While every claim is undeniably unique, there are steps all victims can take to prepare for their initial case review. Read on to learn what they are, so your first meeting is as productive as possible:
1. Recount What Happened in Writing
As soon as possible after the incident, write down everything you can remember about what happened. As more time passes, pertinent details will inevitably escape you, so you want to get them all down right away.
Keep in mind that since this statement is solely for your legal team, there’s no need to be strategic when writing it. If you think you might have contributed to the incident in some way, for example, it’s okay to reveal as much. Your attorney will need all the information you can provide to gain a clear understanding of the facts of the case.
2. Compile Any Potential Proof You Have on Hand
While your legal team doesn’t expect you to assist with their investigation, you can at least support their efforts by turning over any evidence you’ve already obtained. If you were hurt in a car accident, for example, such evidence might include dash camera footage, photos of the wreckage, and the official police report.
3. Gather Your Medical Records
According to dwpersonalinjurylaw.com, during the initial consultation, the attorney is going to want to confirm that you incurred actual damages as a result of the accident. This generally starts by scrutinizing your medical records. As such, you should bring whatever documentation you have pertaining to the treatment you’ve received since the incident to your case review.
4. Write Down a List of Questions for the Firm
If it appears that you have grounds for a claim, you’re going to have to decide whether you want to proceed with the firm’s guidance. You can determine if they’re equipped to handle your case by asking a number of questions at the end of the consultation.
It’s wise to write down these questions in advance, so you don’t forget any of them. Should you be unsure what to ask, here are a few that should have relatively revealing answers:
- Have you handled many claims like my own?
- Do you have trial experience?
- What do you think is the likeliest outcome to my claim?
- What kinds of resources will you draw upon when building my claim?
- How often will you update me on my case’s status?
- How long will it take you to get back to me if I reach out with a question or concern?
Speak with a Las Vegas Personal Injury Lawyer
If you want to file a personal injury claim in Nevada, you can count on the compassionate team at Maier Gutierrez & Associates for strategic guidance every step of the way. Get the knowledge, resources, and experience of a powerhouse practice backing your every move. Call 702-629-7900 or fill out the Contact Form on our website to schedule your free initial consultation with one of our Las Vegas personal injury attorneys.