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To maximize the benefits you receive from your personal injury claim it is important that you document everything from your most serious injury down to even the most minor of injuries. It is also important that you do so as soon after the accident as possible. The at-fault party’s insurance will require this documentation as they try to decide how much of a settlement to agree to. You may face problems resolving this issue if you are not timely in filing your claim.
You also may face problems resolving this issue if you do not seek medical attention right away. The at-fault party’s insurance company could use this to prove that your injuries were not as serious as you are making them out to be.
When you see a doctor initially make sure that they not only document your injuries in writing but that they also document them with pictures. It is important to catalogue as many details as possible to stand as proof in your case.
You will also want to keep receipts of everything you pay in regards to expenses from your injuries. This should include both medical expenses and miscellaneous expenses such as loss of income. You can pay your medical expenses up front and you will be reimbursed through the settlement. Often however, a doctor or hospital will request the information of the party responsible for the injury and will bill them directly. It is important to discuss your options with both parties to eliminate any misunderstandings.
It is better to ask too many questions than none at all and be left with bills that you aren’t responsible for. Try keeping a journal. Don’t just provide documentation from your physicians and statements regarding lost wages from your employer. Document your side of things. How has your injury impacted your life? How has it impacted your emotional health and that of your family’s? These are also important aspects to present to the legal parties involved when discussing settlement of your personal injury claim. Write letters detailing the events in your life after your injury and how this has affected you. You can even have family members document how it has affected them as well.
One of the first steps after seeking medical attention is to contact a lawyer. Having legal representation is the best way for you to successfully make a claim for your personal injury. A lawyer will be able to clarify exactly what types of documentation you will need to file with your claim. He/she will have a better understanding of how much to claim in your settlement and what you can expect at the end of the process. Having legal backup will make the process all the more easier. Thus, consider all of these aspects before you discuss it with your injury lawyer as that they can assist you better.