Personal Injury Organization: What To Keep And Why
If you intend to be paid what you deserve after a car accident, being organized is important. The below list of common documents could be important to your case and should be properly filed. Read on and find out not just what to keep but the part it could play in your case.
Accident report – Often compiled at the scene, this accident or police report contains a lot of important information about the accident that you will need in the future. This report is the main item you should take with you when you visit your new personal injury attorney. You can usually obtain this report, if you didn't get one at the scene, from the law enforcement agency that responded to the wreck. It contains contact information of all parties along with insurance policy numbers. It may also contain the results of an initial investigation into the cause of the accident and the driver who was at fault.
Eyewitness Information – You may need the statements of someone who saw the accident happen if fault is in contention. Witnesses can be passengers in your car or the other car, bystanders, and other motorists. In many cases, witness information is on the accident report.
Medical Documentation – This folder should be capable of holding a lot of paper and all of it is probably important. Your medical bills and the treatment records are perhaps the most important element of your case. That is because, in many cases, your pain and suffering part of the case is based on the dollar amount of your medical treatment. You will need to show how your injuries were treated, diagnostic testing performed, medications prescribed, and when you were provided with things like walkers, crutches, or a wheelchair. You are, by the way, entitled to copies of all of your medical records. Most accident victims sign a release to allow their lawyers to obtain what is needed from the medical authorities.
Driver Information – If the driver that hit you has a habit of being at-fault for wrecks, your lawyer may obtain their driving record. That may not only lend credence to allegations of fault but could come into play if you take your case to court where punitive awards may be considered.
Vehicle Maintenance – If you had the misfortune to be hit by a commercial driver, maintenance records may be acquired to determine negligence. Any delivery van, 18-wheeler, dump truck, or other work vehicle is required to properly maintain their vehicles and to properly hire and train drivers to be safe.
Employment and Income Paperwork – Missed work time should be reimbursed and you may need to show a pay statement, bank statement, or income tax return to prove your wages. You should also keep up with all time missed from work.
Speak to your personal injury or truck accident lawyer to learn more.