Personal injury is any harm caused by another party’s negligence or intentional actions. Common types of personal injury include car accidents, medical malpractice, and workplace accidents.
If you have suffered a personal injury, you deserve compensation for your damages. You should gather and preserve all relevant evidence to build a strong claim. A personal injury lawyer can help you with your claim.
Here are the documents you need for a personal injury claim.
Medical Records
Medical records provide evidence of the nature and extent of your injuries. They include diagnoses, medical reports, and hospital bills.
You can also use the notes made by your doctor during your appointments. Additionally, you can present a record of any medication prescribed to you.
You should provide your attorney with your medical records, as they can help to support your compensation claim. Your attorney can assist you if you need help getting your medical records.
Police Report
This is an official document created by a law enforcement agency that provides details about an incident. A police report can provide valuable information about the circumstances of an accident. This information includes:
- Date, time, and location of the accident
- Names and contact information of involved parties
- Details of the accident
- Identification of the at-fault party
- Injuries and damage
While a police report is not conclusive evidence in a personal injury case, it can provide valuable information to support your claim. You should request a copy of the police report soon after the accident and offer it to your attorney.
Witness Statements
Witness statements are written or oral accounts of an event given by individuals present at the time of the incident. It can include observations, relevant details, and contact information of the witnesses.
Obtaining statements immediately after the incident is essential, as witnesses may forget important details. Your attorney can assist in locating and interviewing witnesses and obtaining written statements.
However, witnesses may have different recollections of the events. Their statements may not always support your version. Even so, they can strengthen your case, as they can show the extent to which the incident was disputed.
Footage of the Scene
Photos and videos can provide visual evidence of the circumstances of an incident. They can support your version of events and show the extent of your injuries and the conditions that led to the incident.
Property damage and environmental conditions footage may be relevant to your case. It would help if you documented the scene immediately, as conditions may change, making the evidence less valuable.
It is helpful to take photos and videos from many angles and distances to provide a complete picture of the scene.
Proof of Lost Income
In a personal injury claim, you deserve compensation for lost earnings and any future payments that your injury may impact. To show the extent of your lost income, you may need to provide your pay stubs and employee records.
You can also provide copies of your tax returns from previous years. Additionally, your lawyer can procure testimony from experts who can estimate the impact of the injury on your wages.
Correspondence
Correspondence is any written or recorded communication related to a personal injury incident. This includes letters, emails, text messages, and recorded phone calls. The types of correspondence that may be relevant in a personal injury case include:
- Communication with the insurance company
- Communication with medical providers
- Communication with the at-fault party
Remember to keep all relevant correspondence in a safe and accessible place and to provide your attorney with copies.
Parting Shot
Various types of documents and evidence can be used to support a personal injury claim. These documents can provide valuable information about the circumstances of the incident.
You should gather as much evidence as possible, as having a well-documented claim can increase your chances of receiving fair compensation.
