By FindLaw Staff | Legally reviewed by Garrett Monteagudo, Esq. | Last reviewed January 20, 2023
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Car accidents are frightening events and a big disruption to your life. Someone may have been severely injured, or you could have lost the use of your car. One of the furthest things from your mind might be shopping for a lawyer, but an attorney can help you recover money for your damaged or destroyed property, your medical expenses, and maybe even your attorney's legal fees. The sooner you speak with a legal professional, the more likely you are to protect your rights and your assets. This section helps you find health and medical resources as well as a car accident lawyer.
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Whether you had a fender-bender or were part of a huge pileup you may need the assistance of an experienced attorney to properly resolve your claims or to defend yourself against accusations that arise in the aftermath of an accident. There are some simple considerations that can help ensure that you get the most out of your attorney's representation. When you meet with an attorney to discuss your accident you should be prepared to give them the information necessary to make a preliminary assessment of your case's merits. You should first be prepared to discuss the incident in detail.
Your discussion with an attorney should include all of the information needed to understand the situation. This includes the condition of the road, the weather, the time of day, the exact location of the accident, a description of the other people and cars involved, and a description of the accident itself. This information will help determine who is likely to be blamed for the accident and whether there may be defenses that will be invoked by the negligent party.
Before leaving the scene of the accident you should collect the license plate numbers, driver's names, addresses, insurance information, and telephone numbers for all other vehicles involved in an accident. You should collect the license and owner information for any animal involved. You should also collect the names, addresses, and phone numbers of any potential witnesses.
You should also inform your attorney if the police were called to the scene, whether a police report was filed, and if traffic violations were issued to any of the involved parties. The attorney will also want to know if an ambulance or other emergency response teams came to the scene, whether photographs were taken, and if television or other news crews were on the scene.
The identity and contact information of witnesses are also helpful. This information helps determine whether it will be easy or difficult to establish that your version of events took place, or if another party is likely to prevail in advancing their story.
Finally, there is evidence that will impact the amount likely to be recovered. This includes information about any medical treatment received, x-rays or other scans, hospitalization, follow-up treatment, and diagnosis. Assessments of property damage, repair estimates, and other documents that calculate your financial loss may also be useful.
If anyone was injured in the accident, it's best to consult an experienced attorney. An attorney can help you maximize your recovery if you're injured or better defend yourself if you're at fault. Many accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means that your lawyer only receives a fee if you're awarded damages or receive a settlement.
Contact an experienced personal injury attorney today and receive a consultation.
Get tailored legal advice and ask a lawyer questions about your accident. Many attorneys offer free consultations.