If you or somebody you love has been injured due to the careless or negligent actions of another person, you may need to file a personal injury lawsuit in order to recover the compensation you deserve. This usually requires the assistance of a personal injury attorney in West Virginia who has the resources and experience necessary to ensure a successful resolution to your case. While your attorney will be responsible for handling most of your case, there are certain things that you will need to bring with you when you meet with your personal injury lawyer. Making sure you have these important items with you is one of the ways you can help your lawyer with your claim.
List of Documents to Bring
Medical documentation
- documents explaining your diagnosis and treatment
- any bills from EMS services, doctors, hospitals, physical therapists, pharmacists, and more
- documents explaining any future treatment that may be necessary
- the names and addresses of any medical provider you have used in the aftermath of the injury
- dates you were admitted to and released from the hospital
- list of all current prescription medications you are taking
Insurance information
- any paperwork documenting your health insurance coverage
- documentation of your auto insurance policy (if this is a car accident case)
Lost income
- any dates of work you miss
- pay stubs, W2s, or other forms that show lost income
Official reports
- police reports
- other accident reports (from a store or premises)
Photos and video
- any photos from the accident scene
- video surveillance from nearby businesses or homes (if you are able to obtain them)
Other documentation
- eyewitness statements and contact information
- an injury journal you have kept
Write a Statement
A statement from you (the plaintiff) is going to be a critical document for a personal injury claim. Victim statements should be taken as soon as possible after the accident so that the person injured can best recall the events that took place. Your attorney will ask you to write a statement describing everything that happened and they will compare this with any previous statements you have made to another party (including the police and insurance adjusters).
If you are on this page and have just recently been injured, please seek assistance from a personal injury attorney before making statements to any party, including insurance carriers and any attorney for other parties involved.
Questions to Ask
As you work to determine which personal injury attorney is best for your case, there are various questions you can ask to ensure you are making the right choice. This can include the following:
- How much experience do they have?
- How much time do they spend on personal injury law, specifically cases related to your type of injury?
- Will your case be handled by the attorney personally, or will the bulk of the work fall on a paralegal or legal assistant (ask to speak to anyone else who will be involved in the case)?
- What is their track record of success?
- Does the attorney foresee any problems with your case?
- How long do they think it will take for the case to be resolved?
- Are there any time limits you need to be aware of for your case?
- Does the attorney use any outside expert witnesses to help with their cases?
- How much does the attorney charge for their services? Will the case be taken on a contingency fee basis, or are there upfront fees and out-of-pocket costs you will be responsible for?