Meeting Your Lawyers For The First Time

By Author: James Wilkens
Total Articles: 20
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If you have been injured in an accident, the first meeting with your lawyer will help you get a sense of whether you can recover damages for injuries sustained, and what you can expect during the litigation process, based on the evidence available. To make sure Lawyers can properly evaluate your personal injury case; make sure to provide the following documentation to them, as soon as it’s available:
1. Police Reports

Invaluable in any automobile litigation, the report made by the police officer who responds to the 911 call, will either strengthen or weaken your case. Did you know that in order to recover against the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation for injuries sustained due to a hit and run accident, one must make a report within 24 hours, or have reasonable and valid excuse for delay? Failure to make said report within the allowed time may bar the victim of the hit and run accident from recovering damages. Lawyers are trained in reading reports made by various enforcement agencies and will advise you of any problems that are identified on the report and whether the ...
... report can be amended if you disagree with its findings.
2. Medical records

These records include hospital reports, x-ray and MRI findings, reports of specialists, physical therapy records and many others. These records also list dates of treatment, helping your attorney understand how long you required care for the injuries sustained and how frequent your visits to the doctors were. The insurance company for the negligent driver uses these documents to evaluate the strength of your case and negotiates the settlement amount based on the severity of injuries and length of care required.
3. Witness information

If you notice a pedestrian at a crosswalk, who you think may have witnessed your accident, talk to him to find out what he saw. His statement may be invaluable in helping your lawyers prove the other driver’s negligence. The witnesses name and contact information are often listed on the accident report, if the witness stays to wait for the police to arrive. However, if the witness is in a hurry, being late for work or any other reason, try to get this person’s card or contact information, before they leave the scene. What they say about the accident may help you win your case in court.
4. Employment records

The amount of time you were unable to work, as well as sum of lost wages, are often indicative of the seriousness of your injuries sustained in an accident. If you were out of work for just one day, following an automobile collision, the insurance adjuster for the other car will question how severely and permanently hurt you are. On the other hand, if you are unable to return to work for over 90 days following the occurrence due to your injuries, you pass the standard set by the insurance laws in New York for continuing with your personal injury action. Lawyers are informed about the latest developments in New York State concerning personal injury litigation, and will be able to advise you concerning your rights.
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