What To Bring To Your First Meeting With A Personal Injury Lawyer

Meeting with a personal injury lawyer for the first time can feel like a big step, especially if you’re dealing with pain, stress, or financial pressure after an accident. But knowing what to bring—and why it matters—can make the meeting more productive and give your legal team a stronger foundation to begin working on your case. Our friends at Herschensohn Law Firm, PLLC discuss how being prepared for your initial consultation can help move a personal injury case forward more efficiently.

We’ve met with many clients who weren’t sure what to expect during that first conversation. Some came with a folder of documents, while others showed up with just their story. The good news is that we’re here to guide the process either way, but having a few specific items ready can save time and help us evaluate your situation more clearly.

Accident Details And Reports

One of the most important things we ask about is how the accident happened. If you have a copy of the police report or incident report, that’s a great place to start. It gives us an overview of what was documented at the scene and may include key information about other people involved, witness names, or who was found at fault.

Even if you don’t have a formal report, bring any notes you took or summaries of what occurred. The more accurate the details, the easier it is for us to understand the timeline and start identifying what evidence might be needed.

Medical Records And Treatment Summaries

If you received medical care after the accident, bring any records you have from the hospital, urgent care, or your primary doctor. These documents help us assess the seriousness of the injury and what kind of treatment you’ve received so far.

It also helps to bring a list of providers you’ve seen, even if you don’t have the full paperwork. This allows us to follow up later and request full records when needed. A detailed medical timeline also helps us explain the impact of the injury when speaking with the insurance company or building the claim.

Photos, Videos, Or Physical Evidence

If you took photos of the accident scene, your injuries, or any property damage, bring those with you—or have them accessible on your phone or email. Visual evidence can often show details that aren’t included in written reports, such as road conditions, vehicle placement, or visible injuries shortly after the incident.

If any items were damaged during the incident—such as a torn jacket, broken glasses, or a cracked phone—bring photos or descriptions of those as well. These can support claims related to personal property or add context to how the incident occurred.

Insurance Information And Correspondence

We’ll also want to see your auto, health, or homeowners insurance details, depending on the type of case. If you’ve received letters, emails, or phone calls from the other party’s insurance company, bring those too. They help us understand what’s already been said and whether any early offers or statements could affect your case.

If you’ve already filed a claim with your own insurer, bring the claim number and any documentation related to that as well.

Employment And Income Records

If the injury caused you to miss work or change your job duties, bring recent pay stubs or a letter from your employer that confirms the time missed. This information helps us calculate lost income and assess the impact on your earning capacity moving forward.

Why Preparation Helps

Being prepared for your first meeting doesn’t mean having every document perfectly organized—it means giving your legal team a strong starting point. A personal injury lawyer uses this information to evaluate your case, identify next steps, and begin building a plan to pursue compensation.

The better picture we have at the start, the sooner we can start moving forward. Even if you don’t have everything listed above, we’ll work with you to fill in the gaps and take care of gathering what’s needed. Taking the time to prepare for your consultation is one small step that can make a big difference in how the case unfolds.