Preparing For Your First Meeting With A Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

If you've been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by another driver's negligence, an experienced personal injury lawyer can help you receive compensation for accident-related expenses.

However, the process of resolving your case will go much smoother if you're properly prepared for your first meeting.

Explaining What Happened During the Accident

The first thing your lawyer will want to know is how the accident occurred. You should provide a detailed timeline that includes:

• The date and time of the accident
• The name of the road you were traveling on and the direction you were traveling at the time of the accident
• What actions the at-fault driver took before the accident
• How you responded
• Any usual things you noticed about your surroundings, such as bad weather, poorly-maintained roads, or missing signage
• What you remember from immediately after the accident
• Names and contact information for the at-fault driver and any witnesses to the accident

You should bring copies of any police reports from the accident in addition to your own timeline of events. If you were able to take photos of the accident scene, this can also be helpful.

Explaining Your Claim So Far

After you've gone over some of the basic details involving the accident, your lawyer will want to know what work has been done on your case so far. Be prepared to explain what paperwork has already been filed and what, if any, settlement offers you've already received.

If you gave a recorded statement to your insurance company, you should provide a detailed summary of what information you provided in the statement.

Providing Documentation of Losses

A personal injury claim seeks compensation for past and future medical expense, lost wages, loss of future earning potential, and pain and suffering. To document your damages, you'll need to provide:

• Medical records showing the extent of your injuries and what treatment you've received
• Copies of bills from your medical providers
• Information about your current insurance coverage
• Pay stubs showing your average wages and time missed due to injury
• Plans for upcoming medical treatment

If you're unable to locate some of these items, that's okay. However, any information you're able to provide upfront gets your case off to the best possible start.

Outlining Your Pain and Suffering

Pain and suffering is a category of non-economic damages associated with personal injury claims. To support your claim for pain and suffering compensation, your lawyer will want to know how your injuries have affected your daily life.

This includes:

• Your ability to do household chores such as cooking and cleaning
• Your relationship with your spouse
• Your ability to care for your young children
• Your ability to socialize with friends and engage in any hobbies you enjoyed before the accident

Asking Questions

During the initial consultation, a motorcycle accident lawyer will give you an opportunity to ask any questions you might have about his practice or the case itself. Questions you might want to ask include:

• How long have you been practicing law?
• Where did you attend law school?
• What percentage of your practice is devoted to handling motorcycle accident cases?
• Of your cases, what percentage has gone to trial? Of those, what percentage was decided in favor of the plaintiff?
• Will you be handling my case personally or will it be passed to someone else in the firm?
• How do you charge for your services?
• What out of pocket expenses do you anticipate for my case?

Making Your Final Decision

It's important to keep in mind that an initial consultation is generally free of charge and carries no obligation for service. If you're not satisfied with a lawyer's credentials or don't feel that you'd be comfortable working with him or her to resolve your case, you're free to work with someone else.

If you're searching for an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer to assist you with your personal injury claim, McGartland Law can help. Call today to schedule a free initial consultation.