Three Things To Do Before Calling A Personal Injury Lawyer
If you have been in an accident, whether it's a car accident or a slip and fall, you may be considering a personal injury lawsuit. In order to have the best chance at success, it's wise to hire a personal injury lawyer. Before you do so, there are three things you should do first to ensure you can present your case properly to potential lawyers.
#1: Get a copy of the police report
For most car accidents there will be a police report. In some cases, you will be provided with a copy of the report immediately, while in other cases you may have to go down to the station and request a copy. This typically depends upon the way your local municipality operates. There may be other official documentation as well. For example, an on-the-job injury often entails paperwork documenting the accident from human resources. You may even be given a copy of an accident report by a business if you injure yourself as a customer. Any document that is reporting the accident should be kept and presented to your lawyer.
#2: Document the damages
It's also a good idea to get documentation of the damages as soon as possible, or at least the causes of the damages. When cars are involved, this may mean photographic evidence of the vehicle damage or copies of the damage estimates from insurance or a mechanic. In the case of personal injury, get photographs of the cause of the injury, such as picture of the broken step or poor signage that lead to you hurting yourself. If possible, take photographs immediately following the accident. If for some reason you cannot get photographic evidence, then you should at least write out everything you remember that lead up to the accident occurring.
#3: Seek a professional diagnosis
Finally, you will need a professional diagnosis in order to sue for personal injury damages. Simply claiming to have an injury or showing pictures of bruises is not enough. See a doctor immediately following the accident to be fully checked out. Putting it off will only reflect badly on your case, since it can be argued that the injury did not occur from your accident if you don't see a doctor right away. Keep all paperwork, including the diagnosis and any prescriptions, and show it to your lawyer. They will need this information to begin building your case.
Contact a personal injury lawyer in your area for more help.
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