Vegas Personal Injury Law Blog

Some prospective clients expect the attorney to get all their documentation. This undoubtedly will slow down the progress of their claim. Others are very meticulous and come to initial appointment very prepared. Obviously, this preparation will expedite the successful conclusion of their claim.

This Blog will provide you with valuable information so that you can be fully prepared for your initial consultation with your attorney. Your attorney will be impressed if you provide him with all this documentation at your initial consultation.

1. The Accident Report.

One of the most important documents in assessing the liability aspect of a personal injury claim is the accident report. On auto accident cases, the traffic accident report contains useful information concerning the identity of the involved vehicles and the identity and contact information for the parties for your attorney to report your claim to your insurance carrier and the adverse insurance carrier. It contains information concerning how the accident occurred, the issuance of citations and factors contributing to the occurrence of the accident. This information is helpful to the attorney in determining who was at fault for the accident. It can provide information on comparative negligence. (Sometimes, more than one driver causes an accident.) Contact information of independent witnesses is also contained on the report. Before an adverse insurance company will pay for your property damage, they need to take a statement from their insured and/or driver; and, they need to have a copy of the traffic accident report.

Unfortunately the traffic accident report will not be available from law enforcement agencies in Las Vegas for approximately ten days to two weeks after your accident. If the accident involves a DUI or hit and-run, the report won’t be available until the accident investigation is complete. It may take a month or longer before these reports are available.

Your investigating officer should give you a computer printout that has the identity of the drivers, owners and passengers; and, the names of the auto insurance companies and their telephone numbers of the insurance companies, or the insurance agents or brokers. No addresses or telephone numbers of the drivers are contained on the printout. The is printout also contains the event number which will be helpful to your attorney in obtaining a copy of our traffic accident report, so bring the printout to your attorney.

On premises liability cases, the business owner or managers may complete an accident report. You should always request a copy. If you fill out a statement always request a copy. Most businesses will not give you a copy of their report. In most cases, your attorney will not be able to get a copy of your report until after litigation has been commenced. So, be persistent and assertive about getting a copy of your report. This report is helpful to our attorney for the same reasons that an auto accident report is helpful. Casinos are generally self-insured, so you generally do not find insurance information on premises accident reports.

2. Your notes regarding the accident.

Your notes will contain information concerning the details of the accident, what happened at the accident scene, your symptoms and how they came on, the effect the injury is having on our daily life, witness identity and contact information, license plate numbers and conversations with involved parties. This is why it is important to keep a pen and writing pad in your car. Your notes may contain the names and addresses of your medical providers. You should bring your notes with you to your attorney consultation. I find that most people don’t know or can’t remember which ambulance company transported them the hospital. Your notes may contain this information. Your notes also may contain information about how your body moved during the collision, or may contain a description of any contact your body made with the interior of your vehicle.

3. Photographs.

It’s a good idea to keep a disposable camera in your car in case you’re involved in an accident. Today, almost everyone has a cell phone. Most modern cell phones contain a digital a camera. A picture is worth a thousand words. So, take some photos of your vehicle, and the other vehicles involved in the accident. Take a picture of the adverse driver and his passengers, his license plate, especially if there is an issue concerning who was driving the adverse vehicle, or if the adverse driver decides to leave the scene.

You should also provide the attorney with photos of your visible injuries. Some visible
injuries will dissipate with time. Some may not appear until the next day. (Black and blue marks and swelling). Some injuries, like seat belt injuries, may appear on or near your private parts. These photos, if they have to be taken at the attorney’s office, may be embarrassing to you, or they may be inappropriate to take at the attorney’s office.

4. The Declarations Page of Your Auto Insurance Policy.

This document is something that you get as every six months from your carrier. It is sometimes referred to as a premium renewal notice. This document is helpful into to your attorney in determining what coverages that you have available for the accident, such as med pay, uninsured/underinsurance coverages and collision coverage and the applicable deductible. If you have an umbrella policy bring a copy of that dec page with you. Umbrella policies should provide you with additional uninsured/underinsured coverages. If you reside with any relative that has auto insurance on their vehicle, bring that dec page, because their auto insurance may apply to afford you with additional coverage, especially when your injuries are severe.

5. Your Health Insurance Card.

Your attorney needs to know if your have health insurance available to pay your medical bills. The interplay between your health insurance coverage and your med pay can literally save you thousands of dollars on a n auto accident claim. Also, your health insurance will likely have a subrogation lien associated with the use of your health insurance on an auto accident claim. (Note: some private health policies do not contain a subrogbation clause.) To inquire about subrogation liens, your attorney will needs an address or telephone number, which will be found on your health insurance card.

6. Medical Bills or Records.

You may be given discharge instructions from the hospital. These may contain your patient number or medical records number which will be helpful to your attorney in ordering your emergent bills and records. Bring your prescription receipts. Pharmacies will charge exorbitant fees to produce copies of your prescriptions, so bring these receipts to your attorney.

7. Pay Stub.

If you missed work, or will miss work because of your injuries, your attorney will need this info to verify your wage loss, Your pay stub will contain contact information concerning the entity that processes our payroll. This can be an in-house or an independent company.

8. Clothing or Damaged Clothing.

If you are involved in a slip/trip and fall accident the shoes that you were wearing are an important piece of evidence. Provide your attorney with the shoes of photos of them. These shoes should not be discarded until your claim or case has been completed.

If your clothing was damaged in a slip/ trip and fall or auto accident, this can provide proof concerning the severity of the fall or collision and the location of your injuries.