When filing a personal injury claim there are no guarantees that you will win. However, you can strengthen your chances of success by gathering and documenting information regarding all aspects of your case. Proving the negligence of another party is based on facts, and this is where compiled documentation is most crucial.
If you have been injured, getting compensation for your injuries will require that you document everything, starting from the time that the injury occurred, up until your case is resolved, as you might have up to two years to file a personal injury claim.
In order to help you with the process, we’ve compiled a list of essential documents to strengthen your case are:
A copy of the accident or injury reports
The reports provide the foundation for your case and give an authoritative third-party assessment of what occurred. Police reports are widely considered to be the best types of report and include a legally accepted recount of the accident and normally identify which party was at fault.
Witness statements
Aside from an official report, having recorded witness statements is another great way to build up your case and provide evidence as to the nature and severity of your injuries and how they occurred. Witnesses can be a person that saw the accident. These witnesses may also be called into court if necessary to substantiate your claims.
Evidence regarding the accident
In-depth documentation is essential to your personal injury claim and will also help your lawyer to build a case. Keep all police and accident reports, receipts for expenses that you have incurred as a result of your injuries, including medical bills. Photos and video are also ways in which you can document your case.
Visual evidence such as photos and videos will show the scene of the accident, the damage caused and the injuries sustained.
Wage Records
Often, a person who has been injured in an accident is not able to work for a period of time. Any loss of wages reported in a claim needs to be substantiated by documentation from your employer. Your personal injury attorney will likely have a letter from your company verifying that you missed work. It is also necessary to obtain information regarding your income, the hours you normally work and the number of days missed.
Medical records
Going to the doctor is important so that you can get the medical attention you need and to have your injuries evaluated by a professional who will also be able to confirm if your injuries were caused by accident. Medical records constitute the single most important and costly portion of a personal injury claim. Without a complete record of your treatment, the insurance company will have no way of knowing what injuries you suffered, how severe they were or how far along in your recovery you have come.
Medical paperwork and medical records such as physician notes, X-rays, CAT scan results, and other medical evidence will help the personal injury lawyer to determine the amount of compensation you deserve. Documentation of any pre-existing conditions must also be given to the personal injury lawyer as well as any medications that are not associated with the accident that you are currently taking.
You may also be required to have a psychologist report if you have been emotionally and psychologically traumatized. It is vital that you and your personal injury solicitor to provide the insurer with all relevant records.
Unfair as this may seem, ultimately the insurance adjuster’s position is going to be that if it is not verifiable through the records, it likely didn’t happen.
Documenting everything and anything following an accident will help your lawyer to provide sufficient evidence to prove negligence and win a settlement amount in line with your losses.
Filing personal injury claims can be a costly and timely undertaking that can tax even the most patient person. Seeking the advice of a personal injury lawyer can help you establish if you have a case that is viable. What many people fail to remember when it comes to filing a personal injury claim is that you have to prove your case and that means you have to provide a wealth of substantiating info, which is not always easy or possible.