Thousands of people experience personal injuries due to automobile accidents each year, but sadly some of them miss out on the compensation they deserve due to lack of documentation. In order for you to receive an appropriate settlement, the insurance company needs official records of medical treatment. If you’re facing a personal injury claim after being injured in an accident, here are a few things you need to keep careful documentation of before making your claim.
Medical Records
Medical records are probably the most important form of documentation you can have when making a personal injury claim. This shows the insurance company the extent of your injuries as well as the cost of your treatment. Examples include receipts from insurance co-payments, prescription medicines, and equipment such as crutches or canes, and emergency room admission documents. Documents recording the exact nature of your injuries and any correspondence between you and your doctor should also be kept and presented to insurance adjusters.
Photographs
Sometimes a picture says more than a stack of documents ever could convey. Photos can be a very compelling form of documentation when making a personal injury claim. Photographs of your injuries, the damage to your car, the location of the accident, and even recent photos of yourself before the accident can all be vital to your claim. When it comes to personal injury settlements, the more pictures you have, the more likely you are to receive a favorable outcome.
Journal
Keep a journal of your injuries, medical treatments, and prescribed medication. Use it to record the treatment process and make note of any pain or symptoms you are experiencing. This will back up the medical documents you present and lend credibility to your claim.
Lost Wages
Money lost due to spending time off work will factor into your personal injury settlement. Keep a precise record of the number of days you spent recuperating, and have some past paychecks ready to show the amount of money you typically make in a certain period of time. It is also a good idea to make note of any travel expenses (such as cab fare) incurred when going to and from medical treatments.
Being injured in an automobile accident can upset your life and lead to long-term consequences. This is why it is so important to maintain proper records when filing your personal injury claim. Being precise about your record keeping makes you your own best advocate and gives you a greater chance for a higher settlement outcome. Considering that many injuries will require future treatments, this means you’re your future expenses should also be taken into consideration when making your claim.
An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you decide when to take the settlement the insurance adjuster offers and when to ask for more, or even go to court. Having an injury attorney at your side who knows the law in your state will help give you peace of mind. Contact the law offices of Antin, Ehrlich & Epstein at 917-730-7151 for a free consultation today.