Blog Post
Things to Discuss During Initial Auto Accident Consultation
June 30, 2020
If you are searching for an auto accident attorney, don't underestimate the importance of the initial consultation. The initial consultation will help both of you to understand your case, and your attorney will use the information to advise you on how to proceed. The consultation will also help you determine if the attorney is a good fit for you.
Learn more about some of the things the attorney might ask in your first meeting.
Accident Description
The lawyer will ask for your account of the accident. The description should include what you did shortly before the accident, during the accident, and after the accident. Other notable details to include are:
- The location of the accident
- The date and time of the accident
- The weather
- The cars and parties involved
The attorney should have as much detail as possible about the crash. Expect many questions to that effect.
Specific Injuries
You should also expect to talk about your injuries. Include your injuries as you felt or feel them, and as your doctor diagnosed them. The attorney will also need details of your treatment. Through these discussions, the layer will get vital information, such as:
- The cost of your medical treatment
- The extent of your injuries
- Whether you have reached your point of maximum medical improvement (MMI)
- Whether you mitigated your injuries
Provide relevant evidence, such as medical records, for your injuries and treatment.
Discussions With the Liable Party
The information you provide to the liable party can affect your case. Therefore, the lawyer may ask you about the information you have provided to the liable party or their insurance company. Don't forget about written or recorded statements the other party may have from you.
Maybe you admitted to the other driver that you were intoxicated at the time of the crash. The admission can make you partially liable for the accident and reduce your damages. Be honest with your lawyer so that the other party doesn't blindside them with unknown information.
Discussions With Third Parties
What you say to other people can also affect your auto accident case. The defendant will conduct their own investigations and unearth claims that can hurt your case. For example, if you tell a colleague that you are not seriously hurt, the information can get back to the defendant and hurt your case. The defendant can even subpoena the colleague to testify.
Thus, your lawyer will want to know what you have discussed about your accident, and the people you have discussed it with. Online discussions, such as social media postings, also count.
Accident Damages
The subject of damages is important for two main reasons. First, the damages determine how much compensation to demand from the liable party. Secondly, the damages determine whether your case is worth pursuing. Note that your settlement check also covers case expenses and legal fees like:
- Some of the damages
- Medical bills
- Property damages (car plus properties inside the car at the time of the crash)
- Lost income
- Future damages (such as ongoing treatment and lost earning capacity)
- Loss of consortium
The lawyer will use the damages to approximate the dollar value of your case.
Available Evidence
The initial consultation won't end without a review of the available evidence. The evidence determines the strength of your case. Carry all available forms of evidence, such as:
- Pictures and video of the accident scene
- Medical records
- Pay stubs
- Receipts or evaluation reports for car repairs
- Injury journal, if you have one
Don't worry if you don't have all the evidence. The attorney will help you acquire additional evidence, if necessary, after the consultation.
Hopefully, your initial consultation will go well, and an experienced attorney will take up your case. At Wegner & Associates, we have over four decades worth of experience with personal injury cases. Contact us
today for a free evaluation of your personal injury case.
Before you file a semi-truck injury claim, be clear on what caused the accident. Discover what can cause many semi-truck accidents.
Diverse events can lead to catastrophic injuries, and what you do afterwards can greatly affect your recovery and compensation. Learn more in this blog.