If you are injured due to another party’s negligence, you may wish to take legal action. In that case, you will want to retain a skilled and knowledgeable personal injury attorney. One of the first steps of this process is an initial consultation. Read on to learn more about an initial consultation and how you can be organized and prepared.
What is an Initial Consultation?
An initial consultation is a meeting with your attorney. The purpose of the meeting is to familiarize your attorney with your case, and so you can ask any questions you may have.
What Do I Need To Bring?
To best prepare for your initial consultation, there are a few documents you will want to bring with you. These documents may include:
- Proof of accident
- Photos and videos from the scene of your accident and the hazardous conditions that may have caused your accident
- The contact information of anyone who may have witnessed your accident
- Police records/ medical documents
- Statements regarding how much time you missed from work due to your injury and any medical costs you incurred
- Your insurance information
- You will want to provide your medical insurance information and any other applicable insurance information. For example, if you are involved in a car accident, you will want to bring your automobile insurance information.
- A list of questions you want to ask your attorney
What Will I Be Asked?
You will likely have questions for your attorney, and he or she will have questions for you as well. These questions will help your attorney learn more about the accident, the severity of your injury, and the details of your case. Some of the questions you may be asked include:
- Your official prognosis, according to your doctor
- The impact your injuries have had on your daily life
- Whether you have had any correspondence with the other party or their insurance company
- Whether you have given a statement to your insurance company
- Whether you have ever filed a personal injury claim before
How Long Do I Have To File a Personal Injury Claim?
If you wish to pursue legal action, it is important that you do not wait too long. The injured party has a certain amount of time to file their claim. This is called a statute of limitations. In California, the statute of limitations of a personal injury claim is two years from the date of the accident. If you miss this deadline, you may no longer be eligible to receive compensation for your injury.
CONTACT OUR FIRM
When someone is wrongly injured in an accident, they often require financial compensation to heal. That’s where we come in. Contact the Law Offices of Brian J. O’Grady today to learn more about what our firm can do for you.
