*** Let me take this opportunity to welcome you to my web page. Below, you will find general information which may prove helpful in the event you are involved an automobile accident. It explains some of the "do's and don'ts" that I believe are particularly important to the management of a personal injury case. Please read the information carefully.
1. DON'T TALK WITH ANYONE ABOUT THE ACCIDENT, YOUR INJURIES OR YOUR CONDITION:It is important that you not discuss your accident and injuries with anyone other than with your attorney or healthcare provider. At times, an attorney may direct legal assistants or investigators to visit with you regarding certain aspects of your case. However, if you are unsure as to who you are speaking with or under what authority they are contacting you, ask the person requesting information for identification. If you are still unsure, do not hesitate to contact your attorney to verify if the person requesting information is acting under your attorney's direction. Should you be required to give any statement, whether written, over the phone, or in person, your attorney should accompany you.
2. DO SEE YOUR DOCTOR AND FOLLOW HIS INSTRUCTIONSYour initial concern from the beginning should be concentrated on your complete recovery. It is very important that you follow the advice and instruction of your healthcare providers to insure a speedy recovery. Often, your treating healthcare provider will refer you to other healthcare providers for specialized examinations and/or treatments. It is important that you follow these referrals. In addition, it is also very important that you keep all scheduled appointments with your healthcare providers. Your healthcare providers see you at set intervals so that they can gauge your recovery and prescribe additional treatment or therapy if needed.
3. DO PROVIDE YOUR ATTORNEY WITH A LIST OF ALL HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS THAT HAVE TREATED YOUR INJURIES OR HAVE CONSULTED WITH YOU REGARDING YOUR INJURIESAs your recovery progresses, you may receive treatment from or consult with a variety of healthcare providers. Most often, it is your attorney's responsibility to compile your medical records and medical bills but your attorney cannot do so unless he or she is provide with a current list of your healthcare providers, including their addresses and phone numbers if available.
4. DO PROVIDE YOUR ATTORNEY WITH INFORMATION REGARDING THE POLICY OF INSURANCE THAT INSURES THE VEHICLE YOU WERE IN WHEN THIS ACCIDENT OCCURRED.You should secure and provide your attorney with a copy of the insurance policy or declaration page which sets forth the coverage's of the vehicle you were in when your accident occurred. It is possible that there may be insurance proceeds immediately available to you to assist in covering a portion of your medical bills. If the vehicle you were in was your own, you should provide your attorney with a copy of your policy or the name, address, and telephone number of your agent.
5. DO PROVIDE YOUR ATTORNEY WITH ALL DOCUMENTATION REGARDING YOUR LOST EARNINGS IF YOU ARE CLAIMING LOST WAGES.In some case, persons involved in automobile accidents are instructed by their healthcare providers not to work for a certain period of time. It is to your benefit to keep a detailed record of all time that you are required to miss from work as a result of your accident. As part of any demand made on your behalf, a request normally will be made that you be compensated for lost earnings. It should provide your attorney with the name, address, and telephone number of your work supervisor.
6. DO NOT HAVE YOUR VEHICLE REPAIRED UNLESS YOUR ATTORNEY HAS INSPECTED YOUR VEHICLE AND HAS PICTURES OF IT.Part of your case depends on collecting the necessary documentation and evidence to prove your damages and injuries. Pictures of your vehicle, or of the vehicles involved, are evidence of the type of impact that occurred and may provide information as to liability.
7. DO PROVIDE YOUR ATTORNEY WITH ANY ESTIMATES YOU MAY HAVE FOR THE REPAIR OF THE DAMAGE TO YOUR VEHICLE. 8. DO PROVIDE YOUR ATTORNEY WITH THE FOLLOWING:- A. Medical Records and Bills in your possession
- B. Names and Address of Witnesses
- C. List of all healthcare providers
- D. Police Report if in your possession
- E. Photographs of the accident scene if in your possession
- F. Photographs of the vehicles involved in the accident if in your
- possession
9. DO SAVE YOUR CAST, PINS, HARDWARE, AND PRESCRIPTION BOTTLES
10. DO INFORM YOUR ATTORNEY OF ALL PRIOR ACCIDENTS IN WHICH YOU WERE INVOLVED AND ALL PRIOR INJURIES YOU HAVE INCURRED.
To enable an attorney to fully and completely evaluate your case, it is necessary that you inform your attorney of all prior accidents you have been involved in providing the location, dates, persons involved, and any resulting settlements or lawsuits. In addition, it is necessary for you to inform your attorney of all prior injuries you have suffered and their cause.
11. DO PROVIDE YOUR ATTORNEY WITH YOUR CURRENT PHONE NUMBER AND ADDRESS
** The above is very basic information regarding a personal injury claim but is not a substitute for proper representation by an attorney. If you have been in an accident which caused an injury to you, I wish you a speedy recovery. More specific questions regarding personal injury type cases can be referred to my office.