When you are preparing a personal injury legal claim, it is important to organize all your information so that it is clear and ready to be presented in court proceedings. Here are some of the essential information sources that you should be collecting and coordinating.
Auto Repair
Being involved in a vehicle accident usually involves having your car, truck, van, or motorcycle checked out even if there are no apparent signs of damage. You may want to get two estimates for damage assessment and recommended repairs to your vehicle for comparison. In addition to the cost of fixing your motor vehicle, you may have to drive a rental car while yours is in the shop. Tally these expenses as part of your claim for reimbursement. Also, obtain a copy of the accident report from the law enforcement agency.
Medical Care
Similar to having your car checked out, you and any passengers who were in the vehicle when the collision occurred should be medically examined. You can go directly to the ER or schedule a visit with your primary care physician. Depending on your doctor’s evaluation, you might need X-rays, CT scans, medication, or referrals to specialists. Keep track of all relevant expenses, including medication, equipment, and therapy of various kinds, such as occupational, physical, speech, or cognitive. Organize your bills by date and type for easy reference when needed.
Employment
If your job was impacted due to personal injury, talk to HR about the pay rate for any days of work that you missed, as well as lost vacation days or comp time. Those amounts might be subject to reimbursement as part of your legal claim. If you are reassigned to another department with different duties at a lower pay rate, the difference in pay could also become part of your litigation case. Any job-related monetary loss stemming from your personal injury could be factored into your compensation claim.
Personal Injury Lawyer
Consult a personal injury lawyer to discuss your case. An attorney who specializes in personal injury can provide helpful information about statutes of limitation, court proceedings, required documents, evidence collection, including witnesses and depositions, and organization of the data. You can also find out about possible settlement options. You may want the attorney to represent your case in court to ensure everything is complete and in good order.
Being prepared is more than half the battle when pursuing a legal case involving personal injury. Gather available information and important documents that you can discuss with an attorney.
Author information: Anita Ginsburg is a freelance writer from Denver, CO. She studied at Colorado State University and now writes articles about health, business, family, and finance. A mother of two, she enjoys traveling with her family whenever she isn’t writing. You can follow her on Twitter @anitaginsburg.
