7 Documents to Show Your Lawyer in Albuquerque After a Car Accident

Being in a car accident is a highly stressful event. This is especially true if you are injured because of the negligence of the other driver. Hiring a personal injury lawyer to represent your interests is highly recommended. 

In order for your first visit to go smoothly, there are some documents that you need to bring with you. The right paperwork will help your attorney form the best strategy for your case. 

Let’s look at seven documents to show your lawyer. 

1. The Accident Report

When there is an accident, the police should always be called to come out and file a report. They will record all the details about the incident and obtain information from other drivers. They know the right questions to ask to get to the bottom of what happened. 

The officer will then make a preliminary determination on who is at fault and put that in the report. Having the police report with you when you talk to the lawyer gives them a better understanding of the facts of your case. 

Did you know that driver error is the leading cause of car accidents in the state of New Mexico?

2. Witness Statements

In addition to interviewing the drivers, the police may also talk to eyewitnesses. These statements should be written down and saved. Often a witness will provide a different perspective or notice something the drivers missed.  

If you know of someone who was at the scene but did not give a statement, you can also go to them and ask them to provide a written statement about what they saw and heard. All of these statements should be taken to the lawyer. 

If you are unsure exactly what to ask, here are four questions for your witnesses. 

3. Photos From the Accident Scene

Photos and videos can often tell the story better than words. As soon as you are in an accident, if you are able, you should take pictures of the scene. There should be pictures of the vehicles, the roadway, and any signs. You should also get a photo of any debris that may be laying around. 

If you are unable to take the pictures, please ask someone else to do it for you. It could be a passenger in your car or even one of the witnesses. 

The police may also take pictures for their report. Bring all relevant photos from the accident to your first visit with the lawyer. This will help them get a feel for what really happened. 

4. Insurance Information

Even though you are suing another party, your attorney will need to see your insurance policy. They will need to determine any coverage you have in case the other driver is uninsured or doesn’t have enough insurance. 

They specifically need information on all coverages you are entitled to and your declarations page. They may also want proof that the insurance policy is paid to date. 

You may also receive insurance information from the other party. This is definitely part of the documents you should take with you. 

Please take the time to gather your insurance policy to take with you to the appointment. 

5. Copies of All Medical Records and Bills

This information may be some of the most important to your case. You should start keeping very detailed records of all medical issues related to the accident. All doctor visits and the reports from the visits should be provided to you. Make sure you have records of all testing that is done along with the results. 

If you have any pre-existing condition that the accident made worse, you should also be prepared to bring this information with you. You may be entitled to financial recovery for the treatment of those issues as well. 

In addition to all the medical records, you need to bring as many bills that you have received. There may be more to come, but this will give your lawyer something to start with when working on a settlement offer. 

A personal injury lawyer will guide you through the complicated steps involved in seeking damages for your claim. 

6. Pay Stubs

Depending on your injuries, you may be in the hospital or have to stay in bed at home for a while. If you were employed at the time of the accident and missed any time from work, you may be entitled to lost wages. 

In order to determine the correct amount to ask for, your attorney will need a copy of your pay stubs for the last few weeks. 

7. Other Documents to Show Your Lawyer 

There is always something that comes up after an accident. You may need over the counter pain medicine, a brace, or an ace bandage. Maybe you needed to do an immediate repair on your car to get to work. It is possible you had to rent a car to have reliable transportation. 

For any expenses related to the accident that you pay out of pocket, keep each and every receipt. Your attorney will need a detailed record and proof of those payments to add to your claim. Here are some suggestions for organizing your receipts. 

The Right Information

When you are involved in a car accident, especially one with injuries, there are a lot of details. All of the information and facts should be in the documents to show your lawyer. You may not know which piece could mean the difference between winning and losing your case. 

If you were not at fault for the accident, you will need to be represented by an injury lawyer who knows how to put all of the information together to form a strong case. You should talk to your lawyer before your first meeting to make sure you have everything in order before you go. 

The process of recovering from an automobile accident can seem to go on forever. The good news is you do not have to go through everything alone. We will be there every step of the way to provide you with the best services to get the compensation you deserve. 

For more information on how we can assist you, please reach out.