When you are involved in an accident that was another person's fault, you may end up being involved in a personal injury lawsuit.
If you do find yourself as the victim of an accident and injury and need financial compensation for your losses, there are certain important documents that you need in order to protect your rights and get the compensation you deserve.
The four most important documents that accident injury victims need in order to ensure a fair settlement are the Police Report of their Accident, all of their medical documents, all receipts for expenses they incurred, and proof of lost wages or a Wage Verification Form.
1.Police Report
The Police report is one of the most important pieces of evidence in a personal injury accident case.
If you are involved in a car, truck, motorcycle or any other type of personal injury accident, calling the police and having them document the accident is absolutely crucial to your case.
The reason that the police report is so vital to your case is that is is the main piece of evidence regarding the details of your accident. This report contains information regarding the details of what happened, who was at fault for the accident, who received a citation, and when the accident occurred.
Furthermore, by calling the police, they will also be able to contact an emergency medical response team, so that any injuries are addressed as soon as possible, and they are documented at the time of the accident.
2. Medical Records
If you have been in an accident, it is vital that you keep track of all of your medical records. In most cases, the majority of the value of your settlement will come from the extent of your injuries and the cost of your medical treatment.
By keeping accurate medical records, you ensure that every injury is accounted for, treated, and you are eligible to receive fair compensation for the pain and suffering you have endured.
In order to keep accurate medical records, you first need to be seen by a doctor. It is always recommended that after being involved in an accident you see a physician as soon as possible.
When you are evaluated, make sure that every injury is documented by the doctor. This means that each ache and pain is looked at, noted in your file, and you have photos taken for evidence.
After speaking with the doctor, it is of further value to ensure that proper medical testing is completed, such as X-Rays and MRI's. Having an in-depth examination is the best way to make sure all injuries are accounted for so that you receive proper treatment and have the best chance at a full recovery.
Once you have been thoroughly examined and diagnosed, you will most likely be set up with a rehabilitation program. You will also want to keep track of every expense and appointment that you have in regards to your continued therapy program.
By keeping accurate records of your entire process, from the time of the accident until your completion of rehabilitation, you can help to ensure that all of these expenses, as well as pain and suffering, will be included in your final financial settlement.
3. Expense Receipts
From the second your accident occurs, until the end of your physical recovery and lawsuit, there will be expenses that you will incur.
For some victims, the expenses may continue for the rest of their lives. Some injuries that occur in personal injury accidents can cause life-long debilitating conditions that will continue to affect the injured victim.
Victims should never be left with bills for an event that was caused by someone else's negligence. Documenting all of the expenses that you have due to the accident is very important to make sure that you are reimbursed and compensated for them.
Some expenses that you may have that can be included in your settlement offer are:
- Transportation, such as cab fares, Uber, gas, rental car, etc.
- Property Damage, including repair or replacement costs to your other damaged property
- Cost of Parking, or other avoidable expenses
- Medical Equipment for your home or vehicle
The more that you keep track of in regards to expenses, the better it is for your case. Your attorney will be able to go through all of your expenses and determine if there is anything that cannot be included in your lawsuit, and leaving that up to them is the best way to make sure you are fully compensated.
4. Lost Wages/Wage Verification Form
When you are involved in an accident that leaves you injured, there is a good chance that you may miss some time from work.
Thankfully, any of your lost wages can be included in your settlement amount, as long as they are properly documented.
Lost wages can include the time that you miss from work from the injury and throughout the rehabilitation process. This can include the length of your hospital stay, recovery time, and the rehabilitation process and future doctors appointments.
Depending on the seriousness of your injuries, lost wages can also include your potential future earnings.
For example, if you are unable to perform your job after the accident, the number of wages you could have earned in the future had the accident not happened can be included in your settlement.
In serious accident injury cases, where the victim is killed, a value can be given to what their potential lifetime earnings could have been and added to the financial settlement that the survived family receives.
To make sure that your lost wages and future lost wages are included in your settlement, these also need to be documented. The documentation needed to prove these losses and assign them an accurate amount comes from both your doctor and your employer.
From your doctor, you need to have accurate records that indicate your injuries, the amount of time for recovery, and whether or not you can perform your job duties. Then, your employer can provide a Wage verification form, which shows that amount of money that you would have earned had you not been forced to miss work.
Getting documentation from both your employer and doctor in regards to lost income is important to ensure that you are fairly compensated for your losses.
In order to protect yourself legally and get a financial settlement that is fair, accident injury victims need to keep track of the important documents pertaining to their case.
If you are in an accident and need help gathering your documents, organizing a case, and getting a financial settlement, you should contact an experienced Personal Injury Attorney.
Personal Injury Attorneys specialize in helping those that have been hurt in accidents recover the financial losses that have resulted from the incident.
If you would like to speak with an attorney about your accident and learn if you have a case, please click on the link below and get connected with an attorney in your area.
