Having a car and driving it entail responsibilities. You need to comply with utmost obedience to the traffic laws. You also need to make sure that your car is insured. If you encountered a serious accident, it is beneficial to have an attorney represent you. An attorney will help you recover damages and other claims. But what sort of things is your attorney going to be interested in knowing, and what documents might he or she be interested in reviewing? The following is a checklist of items you might want to think about, and prepare for, before meeting your attorney for the first time.

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

Are you prepared to explain the details of the accident?                      

POSSIBLE INFORMATION:

What day did the accident occur?                                                                                   

What time of day did the accident occur?                                                                     

What was the exact location of accident?                                                                      

What was the weather like?                                                                                            

What was the roadway like (wet, dry smooth, pot-holed,etc.)?                            

Were other cars or people involved?                                                                               

How did the accident occur?                                                                                                

Were police called to the scene?

Was a police report filed?

What traffic violations, if any, were you charged with?

Was an ambulance called to the scene? 

Were any photographs taken at the scene?

Were any television or other media crews at the scene? 

Are you prepared to provide information about witnesses or other individuals involved in the accident?

POSSIBLE INFORMATION:

What are the names of witnesses or other involved parties?

Their relation to you, if any? 

Addresses:

Telephone Numbers:

License Plate Numbers:

Are you prepared to provide information about your injuries?

POSSIBLE INFORMATION:

Were you treated by emergency personnel?

Were you taken to a hospital? 

What was your immediate diagnosis?

What treatments were you initially provided? 

Did you have x-rays or other scans taken? 

Were you hospitalized? For how long? 

What follow-up or additional treatment have you had?

What are your present symptoms?

What is your present diagnosis?

What normal activities are you unable to do because of your injuries?

What are the names and locations of all hospitals, clinics, doctors,specialists, chiropractors, physical therapists or other providers you have seen for your injuries, including the names of providers who have referred you to other providers?

Who is your general or family physician?

Have you ever had similar injuries in the past?

Are you prepared to provide information about you?

POSSIBLE INFORMATION:

Your age and birth date? 

Your address? 

Your telephone number?

Your social security number?

Your marital status? 

Your children, if any? 

Your present employment, if any?

Your wages or salary?

Have you have missed time from work as a result of the accident?

Do you have a valid drivers’license?

Do you have automobile insurance? 

Who is your insurer?

Have you previously been involved in any car accidents?

Have you ever been convicted of a crime?

Are you prepared to provide information about your car?

POSSIBLE INFORMATION:

Make and model of car?

Year?

Is there a lien-holder or bank interest in the car?

How long have you owned the car?

What is the working condition of the car?

When was your car last serviced or seen by a mechanic? 

What damages were sustained to your car during the accident?

Have you received an estimate for the damages?

Did your car have any damages, dings or dents prior to the accident?

Do you have photographs of you car both before, and after, the accident?