Is There Anything that You Should do Before You Hire a Lawyer?

Before you call a lawyer, it is a good idea for you to do a few things first. Immediately after your accident, try to get the names and contact information of all of the witnesses who saw what happened. If you are able to do so, take pictures of the vehicles that were involved, the damage to each vehicle, the location where the accident happened and of your injuries. If you can’t take photographs yourself, ask a friend to take them for you. Pictures that are taken immediately after an accident can be invaluable for proving your claim.

If the officer wrote a report in your accident case, request a copy of it. You can do this by going to the police agency that investigated your accident and requesting the report. Many police agencies have instructions on their websites for how to get copies of accident reports. If you are unsure about which police agency investigated your case, start by calling the local police department where your accident happened. If the police department doesn’t have a report, try the sheriff’s department next.

Going to see a doctor as soon after your accident as possible is important. You should get a medical evaluation after an accident even if you are not certain that you were injured. Some injuries might not show symptoms for several hours or days after an accident. You also should not simply try to tough it out when you are in pain. Getting prompt medical attention can help you to recover faster. Being able to demonstrate that you received treatment for your injuries soon after your accident also makes it easier for you to prove that the accident caused your injuries.

Before you call the lawyer, make certain to gather all of your information together. It will be much easier for you to answer the attorney’s questions if you have your documents in front of you. It will also be easier for the attorney to properly evaluate your case.

After thinking through these factors, you might have a better idea of when to contact a car accident lawyer. If you were seriously injured and your accident was caused by someone else, it is a good idea for you to get legal help. Contact the attorneys at the Law Offices of Steven M. Sweat for a confidential and free evaluation of your claim at our toll free 24/7 injury helpline: 866-966-5240 or, for more information, visit our related page here: Car Accident Claims in California