Documentation is clearly a vital part of any legal proceeding. In a personal injury, hiring a skilled and reputable personal injury lawyer makes a huge difference in the outcome of your case. We have the expertise and knowledge and are willing to work hard to demand what you are owed. However, as the plaintiff, you also play an integral role in the success of your case. It is important that you know what you can do to help your case.
Know what documentation you can provide, and hire Burger Law to do the rest. We work hard for every client and we know what it takes to win. Focus on your physical recovery while we track down evidence and aggressively pursue the compensation we know you deserve. Get a free consultation with an experienced St. Louis personal injury lawyer today by contacting us or calling us at 314-542-2222.
Documentation to Win Your Personal Injury Case
A personal injury case can take months or longer to settle. Any information and documentation you can collect and provide will help your case. Your personal injury lawyer will help you obtain, keep track of, and present documentation such as medical treatment bills and records and communications between yourself and the negligent party. Whatever information you can provide will only work to help strengthen your case.
It is not always possible to obtain all forms of documentation in your personal injury case, but anything helps. Here is a list of documentation and records we recommend you start to collect as soon as possible after the accident.
Types of Documentation to Keep
- Pictures and videos
If possible, at the time of the accident, take pictures and videos of anything you can. Be sure to first get to safety to avoid further injury, and then use your phone to take pictures of the damage to your vehicle (if it is a car accident) or other property, your injuries, damage to the surrounding infrastructure, road and weather conditions, any other helpful information. As you get medical treatment for your injuries and as you go through the healing process, take additional photos to document progress and long-term effects.
- Medical bills
Keep track of any medical costs associated with your injuries. This might include ambulance bills, hospital bills, office visits, medications, treatments, mental health care, medical supplies and devices, etc. Medical bills provide straightforward dollar amounts on what your injuries have cost you, though they do not paint a complete picture on their own.
- Medical records
Just as medical bills are important to your claim, so too are medical records. Medical records provide professional documentation describing the extent of your injuries and the degree to which you have been affected and how much you are able to physically recover. Your personal injury lawyer will be able to help you obtain medical records such as diagnoses, recommendations for treatment, and descriptions of your condition.
- Police reports
If the police were called to the scene of the accident, collect and keep track of all information such as police reports, the police officers' names and badge numbers, and case numbers.
- Insurance claims
If you use your insurance to cover your medical care and treatment costs or to repair or replace your vehicle in a car accident, make sure to file all documentation from the insurance company, correspondence between yourself and the insurance company, and bills and payments to the insurance company.
- Financial documents and records
Any documentation you can provide on your change in income, loss of wages or hours, receipts, and out-of-pocket costs related to the accident will provide a more complete picture of the many ways your injuries have affected your life.
- Journal
You may also choose to personally record notes, observations, and thoughts throughout the course of your recovery and from the event itself. Keep a journal about your day-to-day experiences during treatment and during the incident itself. At the time of the accident, you can also record any witness information and statements yourself. Even if the police arrive, they do not always collect and file statements from all witnesses.
St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyers
The St. Louis personal injury lawyers of Burger Law can help you win your personal injury case and get you the compensation that covers the complete damages you have suffered. We know how to prove your case and understand how to calculate the extent of damage you have endured. Find out how we can help you recover financially so you can move on. Learn more tips and allow us to do the hard work for you. Speak to us about your case for free today at 314-542-2222.