What to Bring to Your First Meeting With an Alaska Personal Injury Lawyer
You may not realize it, but your chances of being hurt in a personal injury accident are quite high, according to the statistics. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 49 million people seek medical treatment for unintentional injuries annually. Around 134,250 victims visit the ER or a doctor’s office for care every day. They arrive with injuries from auto collisions, truck crashes, pedestrian and bicycle accidents, slips and falls, and many other incidents.
If you were hurt in an accident, Alaska law allows you to pursue the at-fault party for damages. You first need to qualify by showing that the other party was at fault, and then you must prove that you suffered physical, emotional, and financial losses. Your Anchorage personal injury attorney will assist with all legal tasks, but there are some areas where you can support your lawyer’s efforts. When you attend your first consultation, make sure to bring the following:
- Your Cell Phone: If you wisely grabbed your phone and took pictures at the scene of the accident, this will be important evidence for your attorney. Images of skid marks, dangerous conditions on property, and damage to vehicles are useful for proving fault.
- Police Report: Officers who arrived at the scene will sometimes complete a police report, which contains statements of victims, witnesses, and other relevant details. Make sure to bring a copy to your initial consultation, as it contains facts as recorded by police. Plus, if your injuries are the result of a traffic crash, the police report will mention whether any drivers were ticketed.
- Witnesses: Regardless of the type of accident, names of witnesses and statements from them are also helpful as proof of fault. Someone who observed the incident as a third party may be viewed as more credible than the victim who is seeking compensation. Jot down contact information for any witnesses and provide it to your lawyer.
- Your Medical Records: Your injuries are a focus when determining losses, both the bills you incur and your pain and suffering. If you are able to obtain copies of your medical records before your consultation, bring them. Your attorney can also request these documents to use as evidence.
- Pay Stubs: If you missed work because you were injured in an accident, you may be entitled to damages for your lost wages. Your tax and paycheck records will show your earnings before your injuries, so you can claim these amounts as compensation.
- Receipts and Invoices: You may be entitled to damages for other expenses you incur for treatment, such as pain medications and transportation to and from doctor’s appointments. Bring all documentation showing what you paid out-of-pocket for medical care.
Set Up Your Free Consultation with an Alaska Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Though your attorney will take the lead with the legal process, you can make the most of your first meeting by gathering and organizing this information. To learn more about your rights, please contact Power & Power Law in Anchorage, Alaska. You can set up a no-cost case analysis by calling 907-222-9990 or checking us out online.