What Evidence do I Need to Prove My Accident Claim?
Whether an accident victim decides to file a claim on his or her own or hire a personal injury attorney, it will be necessary to gather documentation and other forms of evidence, as a well-documented claim is much more likely to be taken seriously by an insurance adjuster. Furthermore, even if the parties do not end up litigating the issue in court, this type of preparation could result in a higher settlement for the plaintiff.
Unfortunately, collecting the evidence necessary to present a claim is not easy, so if you were injured as a result of someone else’s negligent or reckless conduct, you should strongly consider retaining an experienced personal injury lawyer who can walk you through the process of filing a claim.
Claim Documentation
Whether you were involved in a car accident or were injured when you slipped and fell on someone else’s property, keeping all documentation related to your claim is critical. This includes not only evidence related to your claim, but also information about the source of the evidence. It’s also a good idea to try and keep your documents in chronological order. In fact, making a list of documents as you receive them is one of the best ways to ensure that you keep track of the most important documentation.
Medical Records
Medical records and bills are of particular importance when presenting a claim, so injured parties are encouraged to keep copies of all invoices received from the hospital and other medical professionals. Noting when these documents arrive in a chart that lists the date the bill was received, the amount billed, the identity of the medical professional, and the service provided can make it much easier to give an accurate estimate of your damages.
Aside from medical bills, injured parties should also keep all records related to their care and treatment. These should be collected from the treating hospital, surgeon, specialist, and physical therapist and include everything from lab test results and drug prescriptions to hospital charts and doctors’ notes. These records can prove crucial to establishing a link between an accident and a plaintiff’s injuries and can also be used to prove pain and suffering.
Police Reports
Police reports are another important part of certain types of personal injury claims, especially those involving car accidents. These records are created by the police officers who were present at the scene of the accident and list important details that can later be used during settlement proceedings or at trial. Injured parties can collect these records from the local police department within a few days of their accident, but must first submit an affidavit explaining why they are entitled to a copy of the report.
Evidence of Lost Wages
Plaintiffs who sustain serious injuries are often unable to work as a result of their accident. Fortunately, these individuals can collect compensation for the days they were required to miss, so injured parties will need to receive third party verification from their employer showing how much they were making before the accident, how much they lost as a result of the accident, and how much they will lose in earnings during their future recovery time.
Get the Legal Representation You Deserve by Calling Today
To begin working on your own case with an experienced personal injury attorney, please call Boone & Davis in Fort Lauderdale at 954-566-9919 today. Initial consultations are conducted free of charge.
Resource:
leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0766/Sections/0766.118.html
