Posted on Sunday, May 1st, 2022 at 8:48 pm
Being injured in an accident is a shocking experience. Automobile collisions, slip-and-fall incidents, and workplace accidents can be incredibly painful, both immediately and in the long term. They can lead to temporary or permanent disability, which can lead to overwhelming medical expenses as well as lost wages due to missed time at work.
When the accident that caused your injury came about due to the negligence or recklessness of another party, you have the right to file a personal injury claim. This can allow you to recover financial compensation for both the economic impact the injury has had on your life and the physical and psychological suffering you have endured as a result of the accident.
Establishing wrongdoing and demonstrating how much money you deserve requires evidence. Therefore, if you choose to file a claim against the at-fault party, it is important that you keep the documentation relating to your accident and injury as organized as possible. This will make it much easier for your personal injury lawyer to do everything they can to build the strongest case possible on your behalf.
Because the circumstances surrounding each personal injury case are unique, your attorney will be able to advise you if there are any case-specific pieces of evidence that you will require. Contact a personal injury attorney from McCutchen Napurano - The Law Firm today to discuss your case.
However, in general terms, some of the most common documents needed in a personal injury case include the following:
Medical Records, Invoices, and Bills
Some of the most important evidence for your claim relates to the records and expenses that are associated with your medical care and rehabilitation.
Your medical bills are essential for directly demonstrating the nature of your injuries, how the accident caused them, and any complications or implications that have arisen since the time they occurred.
Your medical bills and invoices will provide vital information about the economic costs of your medical diagnoses and treatments.
Personal injury lawyers often also advise their clients to request a letter or note from their doctor’s office. The reason for this is that medical records themselves can sometimes be a bit difficult for those without a medical background to understand. A note like this may be particularly helpful if your case ends up going before a jury. This will help them to understand how your medical professional characterizes the ways in which your injuries affect your ability to work and how long your ability to earn income may be affected by any disability you might have.
Employment and Income Records
Any records relating to your employment and income (contracts, pay stubs, tax documents, etc.) will be used as evidence that demonstrates the kind of work your job requires, how much money you were earning before your accident, and the degree to which the injuries have affected/will continue to affect your capacity to earn.
Repair and Replacement Bills
Accidents often result in damage to automobiles or other personal property. If this was the case in your accident, be sure to keep any bills or invoices relating to the repair or replacement of those items so that you can include those costs in your claim.
Documentation of Other Financial Losses
If you received injuries that led to a temporary or permanent disability, you might have incurred other financial losses as well. The same is true if you were unable to use your automobile after a collision. Such costs include transportation if you could not drive, as well as childcare or household cleaning if you were unable to perform these functions yourself. Be sure to maintain receipts and invoices for these expenses as well.
A Journal Documenting Non-Economic Costs
You will be able to file a claim for non-economic losses as well as economic ones. This relates to the physical and psychological pain and suffering that you have endured as a result of your accident.
One way of keeping track of this aspect of your injury is to keep a “pain journal.” This can be a place for you to make notes of your pain levels on a daily basis, as well as to write about the emotional and mental experiences you have been having in the time since your accident occurred. If you are asked to testify about the consequences of your injuries, this journal can help jog your memory so that you can provide accurate testimony.
Contact an Experienced Arkansas Personal Injury Lawyer
If you have recently been injured in an accident that was the fault of another party, contact an experienced personal injury attorney at McCutchen Napurano - The Law Firm today. Our lawyers will help you organize the documentation you need for your claim, and we will take care of everything else your case requires.
With the Fort Smith personal injury attorneys of McCutchen Napurano - The Law Firm on your side, you’ll have the help you need to work toward recovering the full and fair compensation you deserve. Call us today at (479) 783-0036 for a free consultation.
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