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If you were hurt in a pedestrian accident, you might be thinking about reaching out to an attorney to discuss your situation. Thankfully, most personal injury lawyers offer free consultations, so there’s little risk in penciling in a sit-down as soon as possible. 

While you could show up empty-handed and still benefit immensely from speaking to a skilled attorney, it might be wise to prepare a few items to bring along to this first meeting. In this article, we look at a few things you may want to share: 

Evidence from the Accident Scene 

The accident scene can be a treasure trove of evidence arming you with the puzzle pieces you might need to determine exactly what happened. For instance, photographs of the vehicles involved, your injuries, and elements such as road markings, could help you piece together the events leading up to the wreck. Alternatively, eyewitnesses might be able to help corroborate your version of events or provide new insights into the at-fault driver’s negligent behavior. 

Your attorney will want to review any evidence you’ve gathered during the initial consultation as this can not only help them assess the merits of your case but also give them a framework to start mapping out their investigation. As such, you should compile such proof in a safe place where it will be ready to bring along to your first meeting. 

Personal Injury Journal Entries 

If you have been logging daily entries in a personal injury journal documenting your life in the wake of the accident, you should share these personal accounts with your lawyer. Ultimately, this journal is your space to keep tabs on your pain levels, note down medication side effects, and describe the types of challenges you are facing because of your injuries. An attorney may be able to use your journal—in combination with other types of evidence—to build a case for losses such as diminished earning potential, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment in life.   

Correspondence with Opposing Parties 

If you’ve communicated directly with the insurer or other opposing parties, you should make copies of such correspondence to share with your attorney. You might’ve said something that could lead to disputes, so your lawyer will need to see these conversations to prepare for any possible issues that may arise as your case unfolds. 

A List of Questions to Ask 

Your first meeting with an attorney isn’t just an opportunity for them to review your claim, but also a chance for you to get answers to your most pressing questions. However, as you will likely be covering a considerable amount of ground during the consultation, it can be easy to overlook certain queries. 

As such, you should prepare a list of questions so that you get all the answers you need to make informed decisions about your case. Examples of questions you might want to ask can include: 

• Have you handled claims similar to mine? 
• How long might my case take to resolve? 
• Do you handle cases on a contingency-fee basis? 
• Does my claim have any weaknesses? 
• Will you keep me updated on the progress of my case? 
• Will I have a direct line to my legal team? 
• How much is my claim worth? 
• Do you think my case will go to court? 
• What are some steps I can take to help protect my case? 

Speak to a Pedestrian Accident Attorney in California Today 

Were you struck and left seriously injured by a reckless or negligent motorist? Turn to the legal team at Harris Personal Injury Lawyers to discuss your options. 

We can meet with you as part of a free consultation wherein we can review the evidence you’ve gathered, answer your questions, and outline some of the strategies we might use to help you recover a fair settlement. Contact us today at 1-800-GO-HARRIS or jump to our Contact Form to request a case review with a California pedestrian accident attorney.