Help Us Help You
Walking into a law office for the first time can be intimidating. Most people who come to Shiraz Law Firm have never hired a lawyer before. You are likely in pain, stressed about bills, and unsure of what the future holds. You might be worried that you will be interrogated or judged.
Let’s set the record straight: A consultation is not an interrogation. It is a collaboration.
Think of your case like a jigsaw puzzle. Right now, the pieces are scattered all over your life, in your glove box, in your email inbox, in your hospital discharge papers, and in your memory. Our job during the consultation is to start putting those pieces together to see if they form a clear picture of liability and compensation. But we cannot build the puzzle if we don't have the pieces.
The more information you bring to that first meeting, the faster we can assess your case, identify the responsible parties, and lock down evidence before it disappears. We can do a lot of heavy lifting for you, but starting with a solid foundation makes the entire legal process smoother and faster. Here is a comprehensive guide on exactly what to bring, and why it matters.
1. The Police or Incident Report
This is "Exhibit A." If you were in a car accident in Michigan, the responding officer likely filled out a UD-10 Traffic Crash Report. This document is the bible of the accident scene. It contains crucial data points:
- The At-Fault Determination: Did the officer issue a ticket to the other driver? This is a massive head start for us in proving liability.
- Witness Codes: Officers often scribble down names and numbers of witnesses that you might have missed in the chaos.
- Weather and Road Conditions: Was it icy? Was it dark? These details matter.
If your injury happened at a store or a workplace (a "slip and fall" or construction accident), there won't be a police report, but there should be an Incident Report filled out by the manager. If you have a copy, bring it. If they refused to give you a copy (which often happens), write down the name of the manager you spoke to.
2. Your "Declaration Page" (And Theirs)
One of the most frustrating aspects of personal injury law is that you can have a perfect case, but if there is no insurance money to collect, a lawsuit might be a dead end. We need to identify the deep pockets immediately.
Please bring your own auto insurance policy, specifically the "Declaration Page" (or "Dec Page"). This is the single sheet that lists your policy limits. Why do we need your insurance if the other guy hit you? Two reasons:
- PIP Benefits: In Michigan, your own insurance pays your medical bills and lost wages under No-Fault law. We need to know who your carrier is to file the claim immediately.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM): If the driver who hit you has no insurance or state-minimum coverage, we may need to sue your insurance company to make up the difference. We can only do this if we verify you have this coverage on your Dec Page.
If you exchanged information with the other driver, bring their insurance card or the slip of paper where you wrote their policy number down.
3. The Visual Evidence: Photos and Video
A picture is worth a thousand dollars, sometimes a million. In the age of smartphones, almost everyone takes photos at the scene, but many people forget to show them to their lawyer.
We want to see everything:
- Vehicle Damage: Photos of your car and the other car. The extent of the crush damage helps us prove the severity of the impact to a jury who might be skeptical.
- The Scene: Skid marks, broken glass, traffic signs, or the patch of ice you slipped on.
- Your Injuries: This is uncomfortable but vital. Photos of bruising, cuts, stitches, or casts taken immediately after the accident are powerful. bruises fade; scars heal. We need to preserve the "fresh" evidence of your pain.
If you have dashcam footage, or if you know a nearby business has security camera footage, tell us immediately. Security footage is often deleted after 24 or 48 hours. If we know about it, we can send a "preservation letter" to stop them from deleting it.
4. Medical Paperwork (Even the Crumpled Stuff)
You don't need to request your entire medical history before the meeting, we will do that for you later. However, bring whatever you were given at the Emergency Room or Urgent Care.
Look for your Discharge Instructions. These papers usually list your initial diagnosis (e.g., "Lumbar Strain" or "Concussion") and the doctor's orders. This helps us establish that you sought treatment immediately. If there is a "gap in treatment", for example, you waited two weeks to see a doctor, we need to know that so we can prepare an explanation for the insurance adjuster, who will definitely use it against you.
5. The "Paper Trail" of Correspondence
Has the insurance company already called you? Have they sent you letters? Have they sent you a check?
Bring every scrap of mail you have received regarding the accident. This includes:
- Claim Numbers: We need the specific claim number and the name of the adjuster assigned to your file.
- Denial Letters: If they have already denied a claim for a prescription or a doctor's visit, we need to see the reason why.
- Settlement Offers: Sometimes they send a check with a letter saying "Final Payment." DO NOT CASH IT. Cashing a check can legally count as accepting a settlement, closing your case forever. Bring it to us first.
6. Proof of Financial Loss
Personal injury law is about making you "whole" again. That means recovering not just for pain, but for money you have lost. To get you paid for lost wages, we need to prove what you earn.
Bring your two most recent pay stubs. If you are self-employed, bring your most recent tax return or 1099 forms. If you missed work, bring any "disability slips" or notes from your doctor authorizing you to stay home. We calculate your "wage loss rate" down to the penny, so accurate data is key.
7. A Written Timeline
Trauma affects memory. You might think you will never forget the moment of impact, but weeks later, details get fuzzy. Was the light green or yellow? Did you see the car coming, or did you just hear it?
Before you come in, take 20 minutes to sit down and write a narrative of what happened. Start from where you were going and end with you leaving the hospital. Include little details: what the weather was like, what the other driver said to you, how you felt physically. This document can be incredibly useful later if we have to refresh your memory for a deposition.
8. A List of Questions
You are going to have questions. You will probably think of them in the shower or while driving, and then forget them the moment you sit in the lawyer's chair. Write them down.
Good questions to ask include:
, "How long do you think this case will take?"
, "What are the biggest challenges you see in my case?"
, "Who will be my main point of contact?"
, "Do I have to go to court?"
We love clients who ask questions. It shows you are engaged and serious about your recovery.
What NOT to Bring
Finally, a gentle word of advice on what to leave at home. While we value the support of your family, be careful about bringing a large entourage to the consultation. If your spouse or parent is there to support you, that is wonderful. But if they tend to talk over you or answer questions for you, it can hinder our ability to hear your story.
Remember, you are the client. You are the one who felt the impact. You are the one feeling the pain. We need to hear your voice, your recollection, and your goals. We are here to fight for you.
Ready to Get Started?
If you don't have all of these items, don't panic. Come anyway. We can order police reports. We can subpoena medical records. We can track down insurance policies. The most important thing you can bring to a consultation is yourself and your honesty.
The sooner you get into our office, the sooner we can get to work protecting your future. Gather what you can, take a deep breath, and call Shiraz Law Firm today. Your road to recovery starts with that first meeting.
