If you have been injured in an accident on the road, at work, while shopping, or at home, you may feel stressed and anxious about recovering from your injuries and financial losses. When the accident was not your responsibility, you may be considering or have decided to file a personal injury claim with the help of an experienced PA personal injury attorney.

You may feel anxious about meeting with a personal injury attorney, but knowing how the meeting will unfold and being prepared to answer their questions will ease your worries. This may be the first time many people have ever met with an attorney for any reason. Preparing for the meeting could reduce your anxiety about it. The more prepared you are for the meeting, the more your attorney will be able to help you understand all of your legal options. In this article, we will discuss what information to gather and what to bring to your initial meeting with your personal injury attorney.

What Insurance Information Do I Need to Bring?

Bring any relevant insurance information, including information about your health insurance coverage, to the initial meeting. If you have been injured in a car accident, you should bring your auto insurance coverage information as well as any insurance information you might have collected from the other driver(s). Bring a copy of your employer's policy or employee handbook to the meeting if you've been injured on the job.

Do I Need to Bring Medical Records?

In a personal injury claim, medical records are essential. You do not need to bring your entire medical history; only the records pertinent to your physical and emotional injuries resulting from the accident are required. Bring copies of your explanation of benefits, medical invoices, and any other documentation that describes your injuries and prognosis. Your personal injury attorney may request additional records from your healthcare providers following the meeting.

It would be helpful if you could bring the following medical information:

• Documents explaining diagnoses and treatments
• Any bills from doctors and hospitals
• Bills from the physical therapist and/or chiropractor
• Documents detailing any future treatment that will be necessary
• Name and address of the ambulance service (if applicable).
• Name and address of the initial hospital to which you were admitted
• Dates of admission and discharge from the hospital.
• Current list of prescription medications

Remember that you should never sign an authorization form granting an insurance company access to your medical records without first consulting an attorney. It is not uncommon for insurance companies to comb through your medical records in search of justifications to deny or undervalue your claim.

What About Paystubs and Other Receipts?

Your personal injury claim will seek compensation for all of your losses, including any income you may have lost while rehabilitating from your injuries. Bring copies of your pay stubs from periods preceding the accident to demonstrate your income. Bring any additional bills that may be relevant, such as for medical devices, transportation to and from medical appointments, or property damage.

Is an Official Police Report Needed?

Under Pa. C.S.A § 3746 of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code, the police are required to file a report for these types of automobile accidents. If anyone is injured in a car accident, if the vehicle cannot be driven away from the site, and if it must be towed. You can request a copy of the police report from the municipality or state agency that responded to the accident if a police report was filed.

Witnesses, Photographs and Electronic Evidence

If you were able to obtain contact information for accident witnesses, be sure to bring these details to your initial consultation with your personal injury attorney. In addition, if you took photographs of the scene or of your injuries, you should plan on providing them to your attorney. Dash cams, mobile phone location information, and video can also be crucial pieces of evidence for your case.

Your Written Account About the Accident

It may be useful to write down the sequence of events leading up to the accident and what transpired afterward. After writing it down and visualizing the entire picture, your story may become more concise and straightforward. It will also assist you in answering any questions that your attorney may have.

Questions That a Personal Injury Lawyer May Ask You During The Initial Meeting

You've likely just been through a traumatic experience, so it can be difficult for you to respond to some of the questions that a lawyer may ask about your accident and injuries.

If you anticipate the types of questions they may ask, you can mentally and emotionally prepare yourself to answer them.

A personal injury attorney does not ask you questions to force you to relive the traumatic moments of your accident; rather, they do so to help them win your case. Therefore, it is crucial to provide them with as many details as possible.

• What specific injuries are you experiencing, and how are you currently feeling? How much discomfort are you feeling?
  
• Have you consulted a physician, and what was the prognosis? (If you haven't seen a doctor to document your injuries, they will strongly recommend that you do so.)
  
• Have you discussed your tragedy with any other attorneys or insurance representatives, and what information did you provide?
  
• What kind of auto and medical insurance coverage do you have? (You should also have coverage details readily available.)
  
• Have you provided a recorded statement to your insurance company regarding your accident or injury?
  
• Where do you currently work? How long? What are your activities there?
  
• Have you been involved in any other incidents (either before or after the one being discussed)?
  
• Have you received any notices of lien claims? (Bring notices of lien with you.)

The Personal Injury Attorneys at Brandon J. Broderick in Pennsylvania Will Be By Your Side

Many of our clients feel relieved after their initial consultation with us. Our attorneys at Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, begin every conversation with empathy and compassion. 

We recognize how debilitating injuries can be and take pride in working together with our clients throughout the process. To us, that means an experience free from legalese, hype, hassle, and intimidation. With us by your side, you can set aside your concerns. 

Contact Attorney Brandon J. Broderick for a free consultation. With our track record of success and dedication to client care, we can help you recover from your setback.