If you've been injured in an accident, having an experienced attorney assist you is vital to recovering compensation for your medical treatment, property damage and more. When you schedule a consultation with a New Orleans personal injury lawyer, these five steps can help you be prepared for a productive first meeting.
Get the Other Party's Insurance Information
When someone has caused injuries to you or damages to your property in an accident, especially a car accident, getting their insurance information is the first step to take in getting compensation later.
If the driver of the vehicle involved in the accident attempts to run and speed away, be sure to write down as many details as possible related to their vehicle as well as their license plate if it is visible.
Gather Evidence From Surroundings
Gather evidence from surroundings where the personal injury incident occurred. Take photos of the surroundings, your injuries and any other pieces of evidence you deem worthy for your case. The more evidence you present to an attorney and a judge, the more likely you are to receive the compensation you deserve.
Ask for Witness Reports
Often when an accident occurs, people will see what happened and stop to help. Ask any witnesses for statements about what they saw, as this will lend your side of the story greater credibility when seeking compensation. When you set out to speak with your New Orleans personal injury lawyer, have in hand testimony from as many witnesses as possible.
Get a Police Report
Requesting the police report on your accident is another important piece of evidence to gather before meeting your New Orleans personal injury lawyer.
This report can help you demonstrate the facts of the accident and show that negligence of another party caused or contributed to your injuries. If no police are at the scene, you can also call afterwards to make a report to have official documentation about the incident.
Get Organized With Evidence and Medical Records Before Meeting With an Attorney
It is imperative to organize all of the evidence you have related to your case before you meet with a New Orleans personal injury lawyer at any time. Organizing medical bills, hospital records, police reports, eyewitness statements and even video or photographic evidence helps to speed the process of building your case.
Being as organized as possible will save you and your attorney time, and will in the end save on the amount that you spend for legal services, so have as much evidence ready before going to your consultation. More evidence means more proof of the other party's negligence, which increases your chances of recovering compensation and can also increase how much you receive.
Working together with a New Orleans personal injury lawyer is a way to improve your chances of winning compensation for any injuries and damage you have experienced due to the incident. The more closely you work with your attorney, the easier it is to build a stronger case in your defense, helping you to win the money you deserve to rebuild your life without financial strain or debt.
If you were injured in an accident and need help from New Orleans injury lawyers, The Lambert Firm can help. Schedule a consultation today to get experienced legal assistance from an accident attorney in New Orleans.