If you were injured in a car accident in Oklahoma through no fault of your own, you may suffer from serious physical pain and emotional distress. You may also find yourself dealing with the loss of your vehicle, missed time at work and a great deal of financial strain. You are not alone. More than 30 million Americans go to the emergency room each year for treatment of unintentional accidents and injuries, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports.
Aside from divorce, being involved in an auto accident is one of the most common reasons for why people seek help from an attorney. In fact, the average American goes most of his or her life without ever consulting with an attorney. So, for many people, the initial consultation with an attorney can be a bit intimidating. They may have no idea of what to expect.
The good news: Your appointment with an attorney can actually be relaxing and straightforward. It is all about giving the lawyer as much information as possible and discussing any questions or fears you may have about your potential car accident claim.
If the attorney decides to take your case, chances are good you will speak with that attorney many more times throughout your case. So, you don’t need to get everything done in one visit. Still, you should think carefully about what kind of information he or she may need in order to fully represent you. This is where preparation becomes important.
How to Prepare for Your Free Consultation
Here are a four tips to help you to better prepare for your free consultation:
1. Get Medical Care.
In a personal injury claim, you must establish that your body suffered damage in some objective and verifiable way. Records of your medical treatment will serve as crucial evidence. If you can, gather your medical bills and records in advance of the consultation. Most doctors will provide them to you. Some will charge, and others may not. Having these documents from the start will save you and your attorney a good amount of time. Also, make sure to discuss your case with your attorney openly and honestly. Do not try to hide information such as a medical condition that you had before the accident – it will hurt your case, and it is just a bad way to start a relationship.
2. Obtain your Police Report.
If you were involved in a car accident, the police on the scene should give you some paperwork that identifies everyone involved. If you are able, call or go in person to the police department that responded to your crash and ask for an official copy of the crash report. In most cases, they will be able to provide one to you fairly easily and within just a few days after the crash. In some cases, reports can take longer to generate. For the Oklahoma City Police Department, you may have to fill out a form to make the request and pay a nominal fee.
3. Gather Evidence.
The evidence that you should gather includes medical bills, medical records, accident scene and injury photos, contact information for eyewitnesses, letters from insurance companies, health insurance cards, your insurance policy contract and anything else you think may be helpful to prove your case.
4. Make a Summary.
Personal injury cases can take a long time to resolve. No matter what anyone tells you, they just take time. In the meantime, you may forget things that are important. It is always a good idea to start a journal or keep notes regarding your pain, your injuries, the facts of what happened and any conversations you had with anyone at the scene or insurance adjusters afterward. Bring this summary to your consultation as well.
Contact Cain Law Office For a Free Consultation
Ultimately, it is your case. You are meeting with an attorney who understands car and truck accidents and who is looking forward to meeting your needs and working together with you to pursue compensation that addresses the specific harm you have suffered.
With offices in Oklahoma City and Edmond, Cain Law Office is committed to helping auto accident victims and their families to understand their rights and options and to pursue the maximum amount for them. Our dedicated personal injury attorneys work hard for our clients, often taking calls at night or even on the weekend.
Don’t fight the insurance company alone. Contact us to learn more about our firm and to schedule your free car accident consultation today.
