How To Gather Evidence for a Personal Injury Case
A split second can change your life. Whether you slip due to an unmarked spill in a shopping mall or you’re in a car accident, an unexpected injury can wreak havoc on your life. If the injury happened through no fault of your own, you may be able to receive compensation for your medical bills, wages lost due to the accident, and even your emotional pain and suffering. You’ll need to gather several kinds of evidence to prove your case.
Hold Onto Your Medical Records
One of the best pieces of evidence that you can bring to an injury attorney for your case is your medical records. From the first time you see a doctor for your injury until the day you go to court, you should hold onto any information about your diagnosis and treatment. This includes surgical reports, X-ray and MRI results, discharge instructions, photographs of the injuries, a list of your prescriptions, a list of your appointments, and your medical bills. If the injury also caused you mental or emotional stress, include any records you have from psychiatrists or other mental health professionals.
Take Photographs as Soon as Possible
Regardless of what type of injury you sustained and how you sustained it, photographs are an excellent way to prove your case. Take as many photographs as you can and do so from a wide variety of angles. This makes it easier for the insurance company, judge, and jury to imagine what happened and how it has affected you. Take photos as soon after the accident as possible to ensure you’re providing an accurate depiction of what happened. You can take pictures in public without permission, but if your accident happened in an office building or another type of private establishment, you’ll need to get permission to go back and take photographs.
Provide Proof of Lost Income
If your personal injury suit will be requesting compensation for lost wages, you’ll need to provide proof of your lost income. Typically, you do this by requesting a letter from your employer that details which income you’ve lost. The letter should provide information about your job title, how much money you earned before your accident, how much work you missed because of your accident, how much money you lost, and whether you used benefits like sick days or vacation days while you were recovering.
Should you decide to gather evidence to file a personal injury lawsuit, it’s important to work with a reputable and experienced personal injury lawyer. The right lawyer can help you gather your evidence and ensure that you meet all deadlines throughout the course of your trial.Â
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