What To Bring To Your Consultation
You have a first meeting coming up and want to walk in prepared.
Bring your police report, any medical records so far, photographs from the scene, and proof of your income. This gives a first consultation something concrete to work with.
You do not need a complete file. Tell the lawyer what you do not yet have, and they will help you request it.
What most people already have
Your police report, or at least the report reference number, is usually the starting document. Medical certificates and receipts for treatment go with it.
Add your identity card or other identification.
What is worth gathering
Photographs or videos from the scene are useful evidence, even informal ones taken on a phone.
Payslips or income records from before the accident help too. So does any correspondence you have had with an insurer.
What to do about anything missing
Some items may not exist yet, such as a finalised medical report or a police sketch plan. Say so at the meeting instead of delaying it.
The documents your claim needs explains how to request the pieces you do not have.
Write a short account of what happened
Write down what happened in your own words while you still remember it. It does not need to be formal, only honest and specific.
Afterwards, what a personal injury lawyer does explains what happens during and after the first meeting.
An independent lawyer can take on your claim from that first meeting. Send the accident date, where it happened, whether anyone was injured (yes/no) and the police report status.
Need a lawyer to handle your injury claim?
For people seeking legal representation. For general information, please use our guides and tools.
Common questions
What if I do not have all the documents on the list?
Bring what you have, and mention what is missing during the consultation. A first meeting is meant to establish what exists and what still needs to be requested, not to test whether you arrived with a complete file.
Do I need my medical report finalised before this meeting?
No. Many people attend a first consultation while still under treatment, and any records or reports available so far are useful even if incomplete. A finalised report usually comes later in the process.
Should I bring photos or videos from the accident scene?
Yes, if you have any. Photographs of the vehicles, the road, or any visible injuries taken around the time of the accident can be useful evidence, even if they seem informal or were taken quickly on a phone.
Is it worth writing down what happened before the meeting?
Yes. A short written account of the accident while details are still fresh, or as fresh as they remain, helps you explain things clearly during the consultation and gives you something to refer back to later.
Need a lawyer to handle your injury claim?
For people seeking legal representation. For general information, please use our guides and tools.