Being involved in a car accident is traumatic and stressful. It is physically, mentally, and financially straining. Apart from your physical injuries, you also have to deal with time off from work, vehicle damages, and mental anguish.
Luckily, personal injury law makes it possible for you to receive compensation for your injuries. Here is a personal injury case checklist to increase your likelihood of getting compensation.
Police Report
After an accident, it is essential to contact the police before leaving the accident scene. Get a copy of the report and present it to your attorney. It contains the details of the accident, including when, how, and where it happened. Since police reports are usually on public record, obtaining them shouldn’t be too difficult.
Medical Records and Bills
After an accident, nothing is more important than seeking medical help. Your doctor will assess your injuries and administer the most appropriate treatment. They may be a valuable witnesses expert in your case.
Obtain copies of your medical records, including all the tests you’ve had. Document your bills and present them to an attorney as well.
Photos
After an accident, you need as many photos to support your claim as you can get. Take photos of your injuries, the accident scene, and anything else that seems relevant. If possible, get them from different angles to paint a clear picture of what happened.
If you can’t take pictures, request them from the police officers that show up at the accident scene. Having a clear visual aid will increase your probability of receiving compensation. Take pictures of your injuries right after the accident and after every significant procedure.
Receipts
It would be best if you kept all the receipts associated with your accident. They include:
- The cost of accommodation if you need to see a specialist in a different town
- Medication
- Rental cars
You deserve compensation for all expenses resulting from the accident. However, you cannot get it if you have no proof.
Pay Stubs
Get copies of your recent pay stubs if you are disabled or unable to go back to work because of your injuries. You may use them to pursue compensation for future lost wages.
This settlement demands that you calculate your earnings correctly. Therefore, you’ll need the help of Idaho personal injury lawyers.
Automobile Insurance Policy
Give your attorney a copy of your insurance policy. They’ll go through it and let you know how much coverage you have. They’ll help you file a lawsuit that is consistent with your automobile insurance policy. If you were able to get a copy of the at-fault driver’s insurance card, present it to your attorney for review as well.
A List of Damages
Create a list of all the damages you incurred after the accident. Even though it is impossible to say precisely how much intangible damages cost, you need to write them down. The most common ones include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Lost wages/ future lost wages
If you were injured in an accident that was someone else’s fault, seek the help of a lawyer as soon as possible. They’ll help you create an appropriate checklist to pursue compensation.
