Being involved in a personal injury accident can be a very stressful experience. Between the medical care, the time it takes for the body to heal, and the emotional shock from the accident, the last thing on one’s mind is the paperwork involved. If you’re considering a personal injury claim, the documentation you collect is arguably the most important part of the process.
Evidence is the backbone of a successful personal injury claim, as any lawyer for personal injury claims will tell you. Without concrete evidence of the personal injury, financial damages, and the circumstances behind the accident, it’s difficult to obtain the compensation you deserve!
The Critical Role of Medical Records
Medical records will be the backbone of a successful personal injury claim. Medical records do more than simply list the personal injury; they create a timeline of the suffering and the process of healing. When a person seeks medical care immediately following a personal injury accident, the medical records generated from the first visit create a direct link from the accident to the personal injury.
Delaying medical care can be detrimental to a personal injury claim. Insurance companies will often seek gaps in medical care as a means of proving the personal injury was not as severe as the plaintiff claims, or it was caused by something unrelated to the accident. Medical reports from a variety of medical professionals create a timeline of the entire process. The medical reports will outline the severity of the personal injury, the treatment required, and the long-term prognosis, all of which will be used to determine the worth of the claim.
Tracking Financial Losses and Expenses
A claim for a personal injury places you back in a financial position as though the injury had not occurred. This requires that you track every financial impact that your injury has had on your life.
If your injury has prevented you from going to work, you will need to track your lost income. This will require payslip evidence, tax returns, and a letter from your employer detailing your lost income, including any lost opportunity for overtime or promotion. This will be even more important if you are a self-employed person, as a profit/loss statement will be crucial evidence.
Finally, track any expenses incurred in your recovery, such as travelling to appointments or any expenses incurred in getting domestic help if you were not able to do your household chores.
Capturing Evidence at the Scene
While evidence from your medical records and financial records proves the impact of the accident, evidence from the scene proves how it occurred. Photographic evidence can be very effective in proving your claim, as it can capture facts that might not be immediately apparent in a written account.
Witness statements are also of equal importance. Memories of the event are short-lived, and obtaining the contact details of anyone who witnessed the accident is of great help to you. If a police report has been filed, obtaining a copy of the report is also of great value. This will help establish liability and prevent the other party from denying the facts of the accident.
Strengthening Your Position for the Future
The strength of your case for your personal injury claim depends on the strength of your evidence. Keeping thorough and well-organised records of your medical treatment, financial expenses, and accident scene will improve your position. Not only does this make your case much easier for your legal team to work with and convince with, but it also shows insurance companies that you are serious and committed. If you are injured, start collecting your documentation right away!
