Write the short chronology
List the date, location, event, immediate response, medical care, insurance contacts, and current status. Mark estimates as estimates and leave unknown facts unknown.
Gather identifiers
Have report and claim numbers, party names, insurer information, provider names, and relevant dates available. Do not delay an urgent deadline question because the file is incomplete.
Choose three questions
Prioritize the applicable deadline, the next preservation or notice step, and whether the firm handles this kind of matter in the relevant jurisdiction.
Protect sensitive material
Confirm that you are speaking with the intended firm and ask how it accepts confidential documents. A preliminary call may not create an attorney-client relationship.