Documents You Need for Your Personal Injury Case

Suffering any injury can be both painful and traumatic. Many additional emotions can be involved when that injury comes about due to another party’s negligence or carelessness. Anger and unfairness can sometimes feel overwhelming, making it difficult to know what steps to take to find the justice you deserve. The first thing you may be wondering is: What documents do I need for my personal injury case.

If you have recently experienced an injury, whether in an automobile accident, a slip-and-fall, a dog bite, or on a construction site, it is essential to remember that finding justice requires some clear-headed organization. It can be challenging to establish any wrongdoing and demonstrate how much money you should be owed if you do not have the evidence to support your case.

There are a number of documents that can be vital evidence you will need to present in your personal injury claim or suit. Gathering and organizing these documents can help you and your personal injury lawyer convince the insurance companies or the court that you deserve financial compensation for your injuries.

It is worth noting that personal injury claims can recover compensation for economic losses (relating to medical treatment, lost income, and property damage) and non-economic losses (relating to physical and emotional pain and suffering). You will want to be sure to gather documents that address both of these categories.

Some of the most important documents you will need include the following:

Medical Records and Bills

Documentation of the medical care you received after your injury and proof of the money you spent on that medical care can be some of the most crucial evidence you can use to support your claim. Your medical records will offer insights into your injuries, how they were caused in the accident, and how much they have affected your life since.

Your medical bills will be evidence of the financial costs of your medical treatment.

In addition to these records, it can also be helpful to ask your doctor for a letter or note that can describe your treatment, tests, and recovery prognosis in everyday language. A professional opinion about how your injury will affect your ability to work and how long the injury’s effects will last can be particularly useful for calculating future lost earnings.

Repair Bills

If you have had damage to your car or any other personal property in the accident, providing bills, invoices, or receipts for the repairs or replacement articles can help demonstrate the damage’s financial cost.

Employment Records and Tax Documents

Employment records, pay stubs, and tax documents can provide a picture of your job’s duties, your history of employment, how much money you made before your injury, and how much income you lost due to the accident.

Records of Other Financial Losses

The injuries or property damage you sustained in the accident may have also resulted in other financial losses. This might have resulted in transportation costs if you could not drive your damaged vehicle. Alternatively, you may have incurred childcare or household cleaning fees if your injuries prevented you from performing these duties.

A Journal Documenting Your Post-Accident Pain and Suffering

Keeping a journal in the aftermath of your accident can help you to outline the extent of the physical and psychological pain and suffering you have endured because of your injuries. This “pain journal” can be a place for you to make note of the levels of pain you experience from day to day, as well as the degree to which you feel it is worsening or improving. It is also helpful to make detailed notes about the emotional and mental toll the accident and your injuries take on you in the following days, weeks, and months.

Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer Today

The Oklahoma City personal injury lawyers of Abel Law Firm understand how difficult life can feel in the aftermath of an accident, particularly one in which you have suffered an injury. Since 1976, we have dedicated our careers and resources to helping accident victims like you find justice and recover the compensation they deserve. We are available to begin working with you immediately, and we won’t charge you anything unless and until we agree to a settlement or win a lawsuit on your behalf.

Call us today for a free case evaluation at (405) 239-7046.