Prospective clients who have been injured in a car accident and are seeking a personal injury lawyer to handle their case may wonder what information an attorney will need or ask about in an initial meeting.
Here are several questions you can expect at an initial meeting or consultation.
- General information questions:
- What is your date of birth?
- Family members?
- Are you married?
- Do you have minor children?
- Who depends on your health for assistance?
- General questions about the crash:
- What was the date and time of the car accident?
- How were you involved in the car accident? (driver, passenger, bicyclist, pedestrian, motorcyclist, etc.)
- Location of the car accident, including cross streets?
- Direction you were traveling?
- Location of controlled by traffic signs/lights?
- What was the speed limit on the road where
crash occurred?
- Where you were coming from/going to?
- Weather at time of car accident?
- Lighting at time of car accident?
- Was it your own vehicle you were operating or a passenger in?
- Any mechanical issues with your vehicle at the time of
the crash?
- How did the crash happen?
- Were police called?
- Did you get the accident report number?
- Did you take any video/photos of aftermath?
- Did you get the other driver’s name, address, insurance?
- Did you notice any surveillance cameras at businesses in the area?
- What did the other driver say to you?
- Have you provided any recorded statements about the accident to your insurer or the insurer of the other party involved in the accident?
- Do you have a cell phone? Were you using it at the time of
the accident?
- Were you driving for your job when the car accident took place?
- Have you received workers compensation payments?
- How were you injured?
- Did you call an ambulance?
- Did you go to ER/Urgent care?
- What injuries did you report?
- What medical follow up have you had?
- What are the names of the clinics where you had any scans, such as a CT or MRI?
- Where did you have any physical therapy?
- Have you had treatment anywhere else?
- Are you still treating for your injuries? If so, where?
- How have the injuries affected your life? Using a wheelchair or crutches or a boot? Missing out on activities at home or recreationally?
- Concerning prior injuries & medical conditions:
- Who have your family doctors been in the past 10 years?
- Have you seen any chiropractors, physical therapist, orthopedic doctors before the crash for anything?
- In the past, have you ever sought any medical advice (from a doctor, physical therapist, or even chiropractor) for the same part of your body that was injured in the accident?
- Have you seen a physical therapist, chiropractor, or any other medical professional for injuries before this car accident?
- Have you been involved with any other accidental injuries? (Other car crashes, slip & falls or other work related injuries)
- Have you filed any claims for other injuries?
- Concerning vehicle insurance:
- Do you have car insurance on this vehicle?
- Does the policy have uninsured motorist coverage or underinsured coverage (UM or UIM)? What are the limits for those coverages?
- Do you have medical payment coverage?
- Do you have an umbrella insurance policy?
- Does the umbrella contain an endorsement for UM/UIM?
- Does your vehicle have collision coverage?
- Was there personal property damage as a result of the accident? (to your car or bicycle for example)
- Has the vehicle damage been resolved by your company or the other company?
- Do you have a copy of your insurance declaration page? If not, would you be able to get one?
- Concerning health insurance:
- What company do you get your insurance from?
- What is the maximum out of pocket?
- Have they paid any bills so far from the accident related care?
- Do you have your membership card, or your plan ID?
- Did you receive any correspondence from them inquiring if the treatment you are receiving is related to an accident?
- Are you a Medicare or Medicaid recipient?
- Did you miss work as a result of your injuries?
- Where do you work?
- How much work did you miss?
- How much are you paid?
- Have you returned to work in the same capacity as prior to
the accident?
- Are you going to miss any incentive or bonus pay because of time off because of the car accident?
- Did you have any losses beside property damage, medical expenses, loss of income, and pain, suffering and disability?
- How have things changed for you at home, at work, or for recreation, because of these injuries?