Help for the Pain

Once you've done your homework and found a personal injury attorney that is reputable and will work with you in regards to your payment for their services, you'll need to begin preparing for your first meeting. This is important because the more information you gather on your own, the better picture your attorney will have of the case. He or she will use that knowledge to create the best plan to get you the help and compensation you deserve. 

Gather Medical Evidence

The first step is to prove your injuries. Include pictures of your injuries if you have any and then contact every doctor and hospital you visited and request a copy of your records. If you had any tests taken, such as an X-ray or a CAT scan, get the dates of the tests and a print out of the results. Make sure you add information about any psychological care, chiropractic treatments, and physical therapy that you may have received.

Show Loss of Income

If your injury resulted in a loss of income, you'll need to prove that as well. Gather the dates that you were unable to go to work due to the injury you suffered and then ask your employer to give you documentation that will show how much money you would have earned during that period of time. 

Bring Police Reports and Witness Statements

Every time the police are called to an incident, they file a report. Contact the police department that responded to your call and let them know you want a copy of the report. It is also important to create a list of witnesses and bring any witness statements if you have them. 

Put Together a Set of Questions

After you've created a folder with all of the relevant documents you need, take out a sheet of paper and write down any questions you have for the attorney. Perhaps you'd like to know generally how long your type of case takes to settle, or whether additional attorneys with the firm are brought in to help. You can inquire as to the attorney's strategy and if he or she plans to use any expert testimony. 

Should your attorney require any extra documentation or more information, he or she will let you know at the time of your meeting. If, however, you have all of the above information, the personal injury attorney will be able to get started on your case without any delay.