what documentation should you prepare for a personal innjury attorney

by Marge Armstrong 10 min read

You’ll want to be as prepared as possible, so here is a list of documentation to bring when meeting your personal injury lawyer: Medical records. Personal injury cases hinge on the medical documentation of your injuries. That means you should bring documents and bills from any hospital, doctor’s office, specialist, or physical therapist.

However, to be sure your case is being properly handled, you should work with a skilled California personal injury lawyer.
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4 Types of Documentation Needed in a Personal Injury Case
  • Medical records. ...
  • Medical bills and other expenses. ...
  • A copy of your insurance policies and any police reports. ...
  • Injury diary.

Full Answer

What documents do I need to file a personal injury claim?

Aug 04, 2020 · Be sure to hire a trusted personal injury lawyer for your case. They’ll have the experience and know-how to build your case and increase your chances of winning. 2. Medical Records. Whenever you’re involved in a personal injury accident, your top priority should always be seeking medical assistance for the injury you’ve sustained.

What should I keep in my personal injury case?

Oct 10, 2019 · You’ll want to be as prepared as possible, so here is a list of documentation to bring when meeting your personal injury lawyer: Medical records. Personal injury cases hinge on the medical documentation of your injuries. That means you should bring documents and bills from any hospital, doctor’s office, specialist, or physical therapist.

What HIPAA forms do I need for a personal injury case?

A big part of any personal injury case is proving your losses. You should keep copies of any bills that arise because of your injuries. Keep copies of your medical bills and insurance explanation of benefits paperwork. In addition to medical bills, save records of any extra costs that arise on account of your injuries.

Why should I hire a personal injury lawyer?

Important things to bring to your first meeting with a personal injury lawyer. Gather these various documents and information before your first meeting with a personal injury attorney: 1. All medical information. Documents explaining diagnoses and treatment; Bills from doctors and hospital; Bills from physical therapist and/or chiropractor

How do I get the most out of my personal injury case?

5 Tips To Get The Most Out Of Your Personal Injury ClaimDecide on a settlement amount. Go over your records of loss and get a solid idea of how much compensation you deserve. ... Provide thorough medical documentation. ... Follow all treatment plans prescribed. ... Stay off of social media. ... Don't settle too quickly.Mar 4, 2019

What percentage do most personal injury lawyers take?

33-55%Unlike many other lawsuits, attorneys in personal injury cases are most often paid through a contingency fee agreement. If you're asking what percentage do lawyers take for personal injury services, the answer is they usually receive 33-55% of the award as payment fees.May 17, 2021

What kinds of materials should the personal injury client bring to the interview?

Evidence through images, video and objects from the scene, for injuries and of the other person's car are necessary. Any proof for repairs and receipts that show parts were ordered and materials fixed are beneficial. All of these make a clearer observation that there is a possible valid case for the lawyer.

What determines the value of a personal injury case?

In the most common formulas used to value a personal injury claim, a multiplier is applied to determine how (and how significantly) you were affected by the nature and extent of your injuries, by the medical treatment made necessary by the accident, and by the subjective "pain and suffering" you experienced.

Who pays costs in personal injury claims?

The general rule in personal injury claims in relation to payment of costs is that the 'losing' party pays the 'winning' party's costs.Dec 17, 2018

What is a third of 50 000 dollars?

13 of 50 thousand dollars is $16,666.67. This...

What information should be gathered during an initial client interview?

Information to be gathered on every client and potential client includes everything needed to contact the client. The interviewing attorney should obtain not only the name and address of the client, but also place of employment, home, office, and cell phone numbers, e-mail address, and fax access.Jan 31, 2008

What is included in a personal injury claim?

A personal injury claim is a legal case you can open if you've been hurt in an accident and it was someone else's fault. It's the formal process of recovering compensation from the other party, who was responsible for your injury. This will usually come from their insurance company.

What are the questions asked in client interview?

Client Interview Questions You Should Be Ready to AnswerWhat Are Your Prices? ... What's Your Working Process? ... What Happens if We're Not Happy With Your Work? ... What Experience Do You Have? ... Why Do You Think We're a Good Fit? ... What Value Can You Bring to Our Business?Nov 9, 2015

How is settlement value calculated?

Settlement value is essentially based on what a jury would award you for what you went through because of your injury. That number is the sum of your pain, your suffering, your bills, and your lost wages. Using a formula would not capture the details of each individual person's case.

What is a high value case?

High-Value Litigation What is “high risk” or “high-value” litigation? High-value litigation is not limited only to those cases in which large sums of money are at stake, although that is the most common reason to classify a case as high risk.

Does an injury claim affect insurance?

Can you claim personal injury on your own car insurance? No, generally this does not form part of your own motor insurance policy. However a personal injury claim would be made against the 'at fault party' (the other driver) or their insurance company.

What to do if the police come to the scene of an accident?

If the police or fire department came to the scene of the accident, they probably made a report. You should get a copy of the report. A law enforcement report is a great place to start to build your case.

What is an expert witness?

You might work with an expert witness to explain to the jury how the accident occurred or describe your injuries and prognosis for recovery. The expert may provide a written opinion of their findings. Their report is critical documentation for your injury case.

Why do witnesses write down their observations?

First, it creates a written record of important details before the witness can forget them. Second, it prevents the witness from changing their story later on.

What happens if an accident occurs at a business?

If your accident occurred at a business, employees or other business representatives might have made an incident report.

Is an accident the first of its kind?

Your accident may not be the first of its kind. If your injury occurred at a business or a workplace, there might be other incident reports available in addition to a police or fire report. These reports may help you prove that the other side is responsible for your injuries because they avoided known dangers and warning signs.

What to do if you have been injured in an accident?

If you’ve been injured in an accident – whether it involved a car, defective product, or was a work-related incident – meeting with a personal injury lawyer right away will help take the stress of your case off your hands so you can work towards physical and emotional healing.

What to do after a traumatic experience?

After a traumatic experience, the last thing you want to do is spend all of your time and energy fighting for compensation. A personal injury lawyer is there to support you and do all of the hard, legal work so that you can focus on your recovery.#N#Your primary job following an accident is to take care of yourself and your family.#N#If you’ve been injured in an accident – whether it involved a car, defective product, or was a work-related incident – meeting with a personal injury lawyer right away will help take the stress of your case off your hands so you can work towards physical and emotional healing.

Why is it important to have a lawyer?

It is important for your lawyer to determine if the victim or client has made a previous statement to any party other than their legal representative. The client may have inadvertently provided information which could mitigate the value of their accident claim or even alter the nature of responsibility of the other party.

What is a witness statement?

Witness statements. These are statements by individuals that saw or heard the accident. Witnesses would also include individuals that would have relevant information about any aspect of the accident, including the people involved or those who could possibly speak to why the accident took place.

Why is it important to take photos after an accident?

The photography after an accident is just as important, as it will capture the nature and severity of any injury to any party involved in the accident.

What is included in a medical report?

Medical reports. Medical reports include all emergency room records, doctor care records, autopsy reports and rehabilitation reports. These reports would include the entire period that the individual is under a doctor's care and would cover all parties that claim that they suffered harm or injury as a result of the accident.

What is 911 dispatch?

911 dispatch calls will provide details as to the nature of the accident and will lead the principle investigator to other elements of the accident that should be examined. 911 dispatch calls are also helpful in that the calls are a window to the emotion that the caller is experiencing close to the time of the accident.

Do smart phones have audio?

Audio recordings are also being captured on smart phones. As the technology has improved in the manufacturing of smart phones, more background sounds are being captured on people's phones who are in the vicinity of an accident.

What is a W2 form?

W2 forms give information proving your lost wages during the time you were recovering from an accident. This can be statements from your employer and potentially your W-2s for the period and prior periods. You’ll also want to hang onto receipts or proof of any expenses relating to the accident.

1. Reports from Law Enforcement

Did the police or fire department arrive on the scene of your injury? Did they make a report of everything they witnessed and were told? This isn’t always the case, so don’t worry if this didn’t happen.

2. Incident Reports

If your injury occurred in a business, there is probably an incident report in addition to (or instead of) the law enforcement report. Insured businesses typically operate under the protocol that in the event of an injury, strict documentation must be made.

3. Pictures or Footage of the Scene

If there’s one thing all personal injury lawyers will tell you, it’s that you should always take thorough footage of the scene of the injury. Capturing the scene from as many angles as possible is best.

4. Statements from Witnesses

Gathering witness statements may be unfamiliar territory. If you are uncomfortable with retrieving those written or recorded statements yourself, ask your lawyer for assistance.

5. Medical Records

The first step in a personal injury case is proving that one person’s negligence led to your injury. The next is establishing the extent of your injury in order to agree on the amount you are owed financially.

6. Insurance Information

It can be helpful to keep track of your own insurance information, especially if your insurance is helping to cover some of your current costs before you reach a settlement. (We recommend avoiding this route if possible because it can make settlement more complicated.)

7. Medical Bills and Financial Statements

Finally, you need to bring your medical bills when meeting with lawyers about a personal injury claim. Personal injury settlements are designed to cover any medical bills you’ve had to pay out of pocket because of the accident in question. In some cases, this may also include the bills you’ve accrued from any related psychiatric treatment.

What is a successful personal injury claim?

A successful personal injury claim hinges on proving the existence, cause, and severity of a victim's injuries. If you've recently been involved in an accident and are seeking compensation for the injuries you've incurred, medical documentation can make or break your case. Before you and your personal injury attorney serve a defendant ...

Why is medical documentation important?

Medical documentation establishes the existence of an injury as well as its type, severity, and cause. Proper documentation provides a solid foundation for your case in which you can prove that the accident caused by the defendant or the defendant's negligence directly ...

Why do you need medical records?

Medical records including bills and photographs help to establish a case that the defense will have a hard time arguing. However, do be alert that, after you provide all of the above information, the defense may still call for additional medical records.

What is the purpose of medical records?

The purpose of medical records is to establish a picture of your health journey. Following an accident, the first step you should take is to visit a qualified medical professional to examine any injuries.

The First Meeting: Questions to Ask a Lawyer

You want a lawyer who is right for you. While every lawyer has their own style and method of practice, there are some basic things you may want to know before hiring him/her.

Get Peace of Mind From an Experienced Injury Attorney

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, you may need an experienced accident and injury lawyer. Protecting your rights and pursuing a case zealously are just some of a lawyer's obligations; and they often will provide free initial consultations. Get started today by contacting a local injury law attorney.

Police Reports

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Police reports are considered public record and are available to all parties once completed. There may be more than one police report depending on the number of responding police officers or law enforcement agencies. There may also be an accident reconstruction report by a special division within the police department r…
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Witness Statements

  • These are statements by individuals that saw or heard the accident. Witnesses would also include individuals that would have relevant information about any aspect of the accident, including the people involved or those who could possibly speak to why the accident took place. Witness statements can be completed by different sources, including the investigating police or law enfo…
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Victim/Client Statements

  • These are probably the most critical documents in an accident claim. The victim or client statementshould be taken when the individual has the best recall of the events of the accidents. It is important for your lawyer to determine if the victim or client has made a previous statement to any party other than their legal representative. The client m...
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Medical Reports

  • Medical reports include all emergency room records, doctor care records, autopsy reports and rehabilitation reports. These reports would include the entire period that the individual is under a doctor's care and would cover all parties that claim that they suffered harm or injury as a result of the accident. These records can also extend to the medical history of anyone related to the acci…
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Research Into Past Violations Or Safety Concerns

  • These records involve safety records as well as inspection reports for any element involved in an accident. For example, if a car was involved in an accident, the records of when that car was serviced as well as whether the vehicle's manufacturer was under a responsibility to issue a recall of the vehicle should be reviewed. Additionally, if a piece of equipment was cited for several saf…
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Video Or Photography

  • Video and photos of an accident can include images taken before, during as well as after the accident. In many locations, cameras are placed in strategic locations which can capture any events taking place during the camera's exposure time. The photography after an accident is just as important, as it will capture the nature and severity of any injury to any party involved in the a…
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Private Investigation Reports

  • Private investigation reports can be completed by any party involved in an accident but if done by a company, the private investigation report can be obtained through discovery. Discovery is the process of a civil action in which one party of a litigated action is required to turn over relevant information to the other litigant before the merits of the case are argued before the judge or jury…
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Service History

  • The service history of the vehicle involved in the accident is relevant to any car accident claim. The vehicle's service history can be compared to similar vehicles and conclusions can be drawn which establish whether the history of the vehicle played a part in the nature of the accident. If the accident is an airplane crash, evidence that the airplane was in service an extended period of tim…
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911 Dispatch Calls

  • 911 dispatch calls provide a real time account of the nature of the accident. They also provide a record or evidence about of a victim or witness close to the time of the accident event. 911 dispatch calls will provide details as to the nature of the accident and will lead the principle investigator to other elements of the accident that should be examined. 911 dispatch calls are al…
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Audio Recordings

  • Much like the security cameras mentioned above, in many locations that police have identified as high-crime areas, sound detection devices have been posted to capture voices, gunshots as well as the sounds of car accidents. Audio recordings are also being captured on smart phones. As the technology has improved in the manufacturing of smart phones, more background sounds are b…
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