If you’ve suffered a severe personal injury, you already know the ripple effect it has on your daily life. You may be facing constant pain, unrelenting medical costs, and the financial stress of lost wages.
In cases like this, a personal injury lawsuit can help you get the funds you need so you can focus on healing. But to maximize your chances of a settlement, thorough documentation of your injury and how it affects you is a must.
Why do you need documentation of a personal injury?
If you’re filing a lawsuit against another party, you need more than just your word: you need evidence. During the course of litigation, it’s up to you and your lawyers to provide proof as to how the injury happened and that it has had a considerable impact on your daily life.
Thorough documentation increases the likelihood of a higher settlement. For instance, let’s say your injury resulted in high medical bills and lost wages. If you have documentation of medical bills but not lost wages, your settlement is likely to be lower. If you have adequate documentation of both, it will likely be higher.
What exactly should you document?
In short, the more documentation you have, the better. As you’re gathering evidence for your case, make sure you include the following:
- Photographic and video evidence of your injuries
- Records and medical bills for any immediate medical attention you received
- Information regarding who witnessed the injury
- Police reports or incident reports
- Records and bills from any injury-related medical care you received at a later date
- Records of any other expenses related to the injury
- A personal journal of how your injury affects your daily life
Of course, every injury and every situation is different. If you’re working with a personal injury attorney, your attorney will review your case and help you gather all relevant information.
Best practices for documenting and storing evidence
Evidence can make the difference between receiving a just settlement and receiving no compensation at all, so storing your information carefully is a must. Here are some steps to take to ensure your documentation is protected:
- Keep paper copies of all documents.
- In addition to paper copies, store your documentation digitally—ideally in a digital cloud.
- Make sure both paper and digital copies are clearly labeled and logically organized.
- Store your documents in a secure place.
Personal injury attorneys have years of experience collecting documentation and using it to argue cases in court. Your attorney can offer you additional guidance on properly storing all necessary information.
Here for you. Here for life.
Gathering all the documentation you need for a personal injury case while also healing from an injury can be exhausting and overwhelming. At BB&C, we’re here for you every step of the way.
If you’ve suffered an injury due to someone else’s negligence, our team can develop an action plan and help you recover the compensation you deserve. Reach out to us today to see how our attorneys can help you get your life back.
Disclaimer: The content of this blog is intended to be general and informational in nature. It is advertising material and is not intended to be, nor is it, legal advice to or for any particular person, case, or circumstance. Each situation is different, and you should consult an attorney if you have any questions about your situation.