For a personal injury claim to be successful, there are certain documents required by law. These documents will help settle your case quickly, and accurately. Coming to terms with everything that’s happened following an accident is difficult, but a personal injury accident attorney will assist you throughout the process.
If you are considering making a claim, here is everything you need to document your personal injury and the suffering caused due to someone else’s negligence.
Medical Records
One of the most important things needed to document your personal injury case is your medical records. It can be difficult to get medical records without the help of a personal injury attorney, so it is best to seek legal advice. An attorney can request medical records on your behalf, which can be used when making a claim.
A medical record request can also take time, so it’s vital to seek legal advice straight away following any type of accident, such as a pedestrian accident. Any and all medical records associated with your claim will need to be reviewed, such as hospital admissions, doctor’s visits, prescription requests, and counseling notes.
If you have any pre-existing injuries or conditions, your attorney will also need to request past medical records. These can be used to prove that your pre-existing conditions had no impact on the injuries sustained after the accident.
Medical Bills
To build a case and make a claim, your personal injury attorney will need a copy of all medical bills that have been paid, or that are awaiting payment. You should also document any expenses incurred because of your accident, such as any medical equipment required.
For instance, if you were involved in a car crash that was not your fault, you may have a brain injury that has left you unable to walk. In this case, you would need to buy or rent a wheelchair and possibly make other adaptations in your home to make it accessible for you.
Other documentation that can be used in your personal injury case includes:
- Receipts and bills for paid prescriptions or over-the-counter medications
- Hotel room bills, if you had to travel for medical care
- Caregiver wages
- Therapy sessions
It is best to keep documentation of everything, as your lawyer can filter through this and take copies of anything important.
Police Reports
Depending on the type of personal injury case, you will be required to provide your personal injury lawyer with a copy of the police report. After being involved in a car or bicycle accident on the road, it is essential that a police report is filed. This can help determine the at-fault driver and build your personal injury case.
Whenever you visit the police or provide a statement, you should ask for copies of any records regarding your case. Your attorney can also do this for you. Keep a diary of any times and dates that you speak to the police too.
Insurance Policies
A personal injury case may involve insurance companies, such as health or vehicle insurance. Any relevant insurance policies that you hold must be found and given to your attorney. An experienced personal injury attorney will go through any policies and check through the terms and conditions, to make sure you weren’t in violation of the policy during the incident.
Personal Injury Diary
There can be a lot going on during a personal injury claim. It can be difficult to remember what was said, who you spoke to, how much pain you were in, or the extent of your injuries. To best document your personal injury case, keep a personal injury diary. This can help you keep track of pain and suffering on any given day, any medications you were taking at the time, events that you may have missed out on due to your injuries, and mobility limitations.
A document such as this will provide key information for your lawyer to build a strong compensation case. Using this diary, you can track receipts and invoices for things like medication and therapy costs. Sometimes the extent of an injury is not apparent right away, and it may be weeks or months after the accident that you notice a change.
There are lots of ways to document your personal injury to make a claim. The personal injury lawyers at Binder Law Group, PLC, will assist you in getting all the documentation you need to claim for a personal injury case. Speak to one of our team today who will start gathering the correct evidence, so you can focus on your recovery.
Visit our offices at the following address: 16633 Ventura Blvd. #602 Encino, CA 91436, or call now for a free consultation on (818) 659-8588.