March 7, 2024 | Personal Injury
Car crashes impact every community. The Oklahoma Department of Public Safety reports that there were 7,968 motor vehicle collisions reported in Tulsa County alone in 2021. If you were involved in a serious accident, you cannot rely on an insurance company to protect your best interests. The sooner you consult with a lawyer, the better. At McGuire Law Firm, we want you to be prepared for your first appointment with an attorney. Our Tulsa personal injury lawyer provides a guide to preparing for your initial consultation after a motor vehicle accident.
Getting Prepared for Your Initial Consultation: A Checklist
Are you preparing for your consultation with a Tulsa personal injury attorney? It is crucial that you are well-organized. Proper preparation can help you get the most out of your consultation. Here is a checklist that you can use to bring the right stuff to your initial consultation in Tulsa:
- The Police Report: All motor vehicle accidents that result in physical injuries or major property damage should be reported to law enforcement in Oklahoma, such as the Tulsa Police Department or the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. A police report is a key piece of evidence. It contains an impartial account of the incident, including the date, time, location, parties involved, and any citations issued. If you have access to the report, bring it.
- Photographs: Photographs are powerful, compelling evidence. They offer visual proof of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and other relevant issues. If you have pictures of the scene immediately following the accident, including road conditions, traffic signs, and weather conditions, these can be incredibly valuable. Bring them to your initial consultation with a Tulsa car accident attorney.
- Medical Records: Have you seen a doctor? You should always seek professional medical care if you are hurt in a crash. To the extent you have access to them, bring relevant medical records to your consultation with a Tulsa personal injury attorney. These records are essential for calculating damages, including medical expenses, pain and suffering, and potential long-term care costs.
- Your Account of What Happened: Your story matters. While the details are fresh, write down your own account of the accident, including everything you remember before, during, and after the incident. Note down any conversations, the sequence of events, and how the accident has impacted your daily life. Your personal account can help your Tulsa car accident attorney understand your perspective.
- Any Questions You Have: You probably have a lot of questions about your case. An initial consultation with a Tulsa car accident lawyer is your opportunity to start getting these questions answered. Do not hesitate to come prepared with a list of questions you have for the attorney. These might include inquiries about their experience with similar cases, their approach to dealing with insurance companies, expected timelines, and any legal fees or costs involved.
Note: You should not hesitate to bring any other documents, records, evidence, or information that you believe may be relevant to your claim. Every motor vehicle accident case involves its own unique set of facts and circumstances. Your Tulsa attorney can help you find answers.
A Consultation is Your Chance to Get Information About Your Case and Your Lawyer
An initial consultation with a Tulsa car accident attorney is not only an opportunity to present the details of your case, it is also a chance to assess the competence and fit of the lawyer. The first time you meet with a lawyer is a great chance to learn. You can gather a lot of information about the car accident claims process, the strength of your case, and what needs to be done next. By the end of the initial consultation, you should have a clear understanding of how your claims will be handled. Further, you should be able to rest easy knowing that your lawyer can handle your case properly.
Do Not Pay for an Initial Consultation: The Tulsa car accident attorneys at the McGuire Law Firm offer free, no-obligation, and fully confidential initial consultations. Have questions about your case? We are ready to get started.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Top-Tier Tulsa Personal Injury Attorney
At McGuire Law Firm, our Tulsa personal injury lawyers invest the time and resources to get results. Initial consultations are always free. Give us a phone call now or contact us online for a confidential, no-obligation case review. Our firm handles accident claims in Tulsa and throughout Tulsa County, including Broken Arrow, Collinsville, Glenpool, Jenks, and Owasso.