Write the facts before the prompt
Start with six fields: where the incident happened, when it happened, what you directly observed, what harm you are describing, what documents you have, and what you want to understand. Use dates when you know them and label approximations. Do not let a tool turn an uncertain date into a precise one.
A useful summary is short enough that you can check every sentence. For example: “A delivery vehicle struck my parked car in Ohio in September. I was not in the car. I have photographs and two repair estimates. The driver’s insurer has requested more information. I want to organize the property damage records.” This is an invented preparation example, not a legal conclusion about liability.
Separate three types of information
- Documented: a dated estimate, an invoice, an employer record, or a message you can locate.
- Reported: something another person told you that you have not independently confirmed.
- Unknown: coverage limits, future treatment, disputed responsibility, or the applicable deadline.
Do not enter an unknown as zero. Zero medical expenses means no medical expense is being included; an unknown medical expense means the file is incomplete. That distinction can materially change the conversation.
Ask for a preparation output
Try this prompt: “Using only the facts below, create a timeline, identify missing information, and list questions for a licensed lawyer. Keep assumptions separate. Do not invent citations, deadlines, diagnoses, or settlement statistics.” Then paste the redacted summary.
The California Courts’ pre-lawsuit guide is a state-specific example of how evidence supports a monetary claim. It does not establish the rules for every state. Use the official court or agency for your location when checking what you need to prove.
Review the result against your records
Read the output line by line. Mark any added fact and remove it unless a record supports it. Follow the law library’s advice to verify AI legal references rather than assuming a confident explanation is current law. Save your corrected summary with a preparation date so that later conversations do not confuse old and new information.
Finally, choose one practical next step: request an itemized bill, find the relevant policy, or schedule a legal consultation. An AI evaluation is most useful when it helps you identify the next missing piece rather than pushing you toward an immediate settlement decision.