What to Bring to Your Car Accident Lawyer Consultation in Hialeah

Bring whatever you have, a crash report number, your insurance declarations page, photos, medical paperwork, and proof of missed work, but do not delay the meeting just because you are missing documents. A car accident lawyer can request most records on your behalf, and the sooner you come in, the sooner evidence is preserved and insurer deadlines are tracked. If you cannot come to the office, Wolfson & Leon can meet you at home or at the hospital.

Do I really need all of this before I call a lawyer?

You do not need every document to start. The consultation is not a test. Many people in Hialeah wait too long because they think they must finish treatment or collect everything first. That delay can hurt your claim. Florida law gives you two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit if your crash happened on or after March 24, 2023 [Fla. Stat. § 95.11]. But you only have 14 days to get initial treatment or PIP pays nothing [Fla. Stat. § 627.736]. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and surveillance video gets overwritten. If your injuries keep you from driving to our office in Hialeah, we will come to you, at home, at Hialeah Hospital, or wherever you are receiving care.

What crash documents should I bring?

Bring the crash report number if you have it. If you were hit within Hialeah city limits, the Hialeah Police Department likely responded; on highways like the Palmetto Expressway, it may have been Florida Highway Patrol. You can look up your report at floridacrashportal.gov, most appear within a few days. Crash reports are confidential for 60 days under [Fla. Stat. § 316.066], but your lawyer can access them immediately as your representative. Also bring the other driver’s name, address, license plate, and insurance card; Florida law requires drivers in a crash to give their name, address, and vehicle registration number at the scene [Fla. Stat. § 316.062]. Add photos of vehicle damage from multiple angles, pictures of your injuries taken soon after the crash, and names and phone numbers of any witnesses. If you do not have the report yet, come anyway, we can get it.

Which insurance documents does my lawyer need?

Bring your own insurance ID card and your full declarations page, the one-page summary of your policy coverages. This shows whether you have uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, which is optional in Florida and must be rejected in writing [Fla. Stat. § 627.727]. It also shows if you chose stacked or non-stacked UM: stacked multiplies your limit across all vehicles on your policy; non-stacked applies one limit per crash. Do not believe that “Florida is no-fault so the other driver’s insurance does not matter.” PIP covers initial bills regardless of fault, but serious injuries may require a claim against the at-fault driver’s bodily injury coverage, if they have any. Bring any letters from your insurer since the crash and whatever insurance info you got from the other driver.

What medical paperwork should I bring, and what if I do not have it yet?

Bring ER discharge papers from Hialeah Hospital or Palmetto General, urgent care notes, imaging reports like X-rays or MRIs, physical therapy records, prescription receipts, and any Explanation of Benefits from your PIP carrier. Gaps between the crash and your first medical visit can give an insurer room to argue the injury came from something else. If you do not have these records yet, that is okay. Under [Fla. Stat. § 456.057], medical providers follow strict rules about releasing records, and your lawyer can request them formally on your behalf. We will also review whether your condition qualifies as an emergency medical condition, that determines if you get up to $10,000 in PIP benefits or only $2,500.

How do I prove the money I have lost?

Bring recent pay stubs (two to three months before the crash), a letter from your employer confirming missed days and hourly rate, and if you are self-employed, your last two to three years of tax returns plus invoices showing lost jobs. PIP covers 60 percent of lost wages up to the policy limit [Fla. Stat. § 627.736], but you must prove your normal earnings. Also bring vehicle repair estimates or a total-loss notice, rental car receipts, and receipts for crutches, braces, or other out-of-pocket medical costs. Insurers often dispute wage claims when documentation is thin, so bring what you have, even if it feels incomplete.

What about letters, calls, and anything I already signed?

Bring every letter, email, or voicemail from any insurer since the crash. Include claim numbers, adjuster names, recorded statement requests, medical authorizations, settlement offers, and denial letters. Before signing any insurance document, check whether it involves accident benefits, medical record authorizations, or settlement terms. Early offers can be lower than what a claim is ultimately worth. You are not required to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer. Do not sign anything until you understand what it says.

Frequently asked questions

Can I still meet with a lawyer if I do not have the police report yet?
Yes. We can request the report directly from the responding agency. Florida law allows your attorney to access it even during the 60-day confidentiality period.

What if I cannot travel to the law firm’s office because of my injuries?
We meet clients at home, in the hospital, or at any location convenient for you in Miami-Dade County. Your health comes first.

Do I have to finish medical treatment before I consult a lawyer?
No. Waiting can risk missing deadlines or losing evidence. We can begin evaluating your case while you continue care.

The other driver’s insurer is asking for a recorded statement. Do I have to give one?
You are not legally required to give a statement to the other driver’s insurance company. It is wise to speak with a lawyer before deciding.

I only have a two-year window to file a lawsuit, does that mean I should wait to gather everything before calling a lawyer?
No. The two-year deadline is the outer limit, not a suggestion to wait. Starting early protects your rights and ensures critical deadlines like the 14-day PIP rule are met.

Related reading: I was in a car accident in Hialeah. What do I do now? · The driver who hit me in Hialeah has no insurance. What now? · The 14-day PIP rule in Florida: what happens if you wait to see a doctor after a Hialeah car accident · How long do I have to file an injury lawsuit in Florida? The two-year rule after HB 837

Hurt in an accident in Hialeah? Call Wolfson & Leon at 305-965-3766 for a free consultation. We speak Spanish, and there is no fee unless we win.