Recovering Your Loss

3 Tips For Preparing For An Auto Accident Consultation

Following a vehicle accident, you will likely have a lot of concerns running through your mind. You will also be in a lot of pain. You will probably be visiting the doctor, trying to maintain your day-to-day routines, and attempting to recover. It will be very overwhelming. One of the last things you will probably want to do is schedule a consultation with an auto accident attorney at his or her office. 

However, if you are looking to seek compensation for your injuries, then this is a crucial step. To help ensure that your consultation with the lawyer gets off to the right start, here are a few tips to help you prepare for your meeting.

1. Write Down the Details of the Accident

It goes without saying that your memories will fade over time. So, while the details of the accident and your injuries are still fresh in your mind, take the time to write everything that you recall down. Even if you don't think something is relevant to the accident, go ahead and write it down. It is your lawyer's job to determine whether something is relevant or irrelevant. Be as specific as possible in your details, from what your heard, saw and even smelt before and after the collision occurred. Take note of the time of day it was when the collision occurred, the weather that day, the condition of the road, etc. Anything that could be helpful should be written down.

2. Gather Documents

It is important that you gather any documentation that is directly related to your accident and bring it to your consultation. This includes the police report that was filed the day of the accident, auto and health insurance information, medical records, eye witness contact information, photographs from the scene, medical bills/receipts, vehicle damage estimate, etc.

3. Prepare a List of Questions

As overwhelmed as you are, you are going to have questions for your attorney. This is particularly true if you have never found yourself in a situation like this before. Not only will you want to find out about the lawyer's background and experience handling cases similar to yours, but you will also want to find out what you should expect as you move forward. For example, how long do cases like yours normally take to resolve and how much could you potentially stand to recover? Don't forget to also ask your auto injury attorney about his or her fees. Some will charge by the hour, while others only get paid if your case wins in settlement or at trial.


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