When you are injured in an auto accident, consulting with a car accident lawyer should be on your list of things to do, after calling your spouse and family members. When you make that call about your injuries from the accident, it is necessary to have substantial information about your accident for your lawyer to move forward with.
Try to speak with a car accident lawyer fairly soon after the accident. If you suffered injuries and are recuperating in a hospital, have a spouse or loved one connect with a car accident lawyer. This initial consultation is free and is a fact-finding exercise for the law firm to determine the validity of your case. Having the required information at your fingertips will be valuable in boosting the case in your car accident legal claim months later.
“What information does my car accident lawyer need from me?” is the right question to ask after an accident. Starting a process for a personal injury claim begins with accurate details.
Information Needed for a Personal Injury Claim
Filing a personal injury claim depends on how seriously you or a loved one is injured in an auto accident. If the accident was a minor fender bender with few or no injuries, you may just be able to work out compensation through your respective insurance companies.
However, the more serious the injuries suffered in an accident are, the greater the value is in hiring a personal injury attorney to file a claim for your losses. The opposing insurance company may try to compensate you swiftly with a low payment. However, if you choose to work with a solid personal injury attorney, your line of defense becomes much stronger.
Your car accident attorney will definitely look for specific information after an accident. This information includes the following:
Date and Time of the Accident
A car accident lawyer will need the basic facts first. Make sure you know the date, time of day, and the number of cars involved in the accident.
Description of the Accident
This is where having a lot of detail will help a car accident lawyer. In some serious cases, the legal process goes so far as to even recreate the accident in a court setting.
You should know the location of the accident, what you were doing at the exact time of impact, and whether you saw or sensed anything unusual.
Whether or Not You Admitted Fault
This is very important for a car accident lawyer to know. Did you speak to the other driver(s) and admit fault in any way, shape, or form? As you may know, it is not wise to admit fault as insurance companies can use this against you.
Police Report Details
This is critical. It is against the law to flee from an accident where damages and injuries are involved. Did the police come and make a vehicle accident report? Do you have a copy of the report? If not, your lawyer may be able to obtain it. Does the police report show that you or another driver is at fault in the accident? It is good news for your car accident lawyer if the police report shows that the other driver admitted to being at fault.
Injuries Suffered in the Accident
Your car accident lawyer will need to know the full extent of your injuries. You should speak with a car accident lawyer within a few days of the accident and report your injuries to the lawyer. The lawyer will also have to know if you were in a hospital after the accident and will need to see medical documents. Car accident lawyers need to know about all of your injuries from the accident. Are there bruises, broken bones, is any dizziness, or anything else? Share everything. Make sure your lawyer knows all your mental and physical ailments from the accident.
The Hospital or Medical Center Where You Sought Treatment
Your lawyer will need the location and name of the hospital. Did the medical team take X-rays or an MRI? It is important to note what the tests showed. A lawyer needs to know any immediate bodily damage you suffered.
Insurance Claim Details
According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), “Over the past two years, both the accident rate and the size of insurance claims have climbed dramatically.”Did you make an insurance claim yet? It is smart to report your accident to your insurance company within a week of the accident or when you have the police report in your hand. Report the basic facts about the accident, and do not admit any fault or say anything that might imply liability.
Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC Today for Legal Help
Contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC to have a free initial consultation about your car accident. You can ask “what information does my car accident lawyer need from me?” and our team will provide you with everything you need to know. Reach out to us today at (844) 730-0233.
