The Importance of Keeping Accurate Records in a Personal Injury Case
The importance of maintaining proper documentation and medical records in personal injury cases cannot be overstated, as medical history and documentation alone can make or break your chances of receiving rightful compensation. From the moment an accident occurs to the final resolution, maintaining a detailed account of your life, events, medical treatments, financial losses, injuries sustained, and other relevant information is essential.
Accurate Record Keeping is Crucial in Louisiana Personal Injury Claims
You need hard facts and legal evidence on your side to win a personal injury claim in Louisiana. Properly kept records can help in establishing the liability of the at-fault parties. With the help of these records and expert testimony, opinions, or witness statements, your attorney has a better chance of proving that the other person’s negligent actions or inactions were the cause of the accident and injuries.
Basic records used during a successful injury claim for establishing liability and proving damages include:
- Medical records
- Photos and videos from the crash site
- Police reports
- Income statement
- Pay stubs
- Tax records
- Private journal detailing the recovery process
Medical records, in particular, are important to every successful personal injury claim. You should keep your medical documents and records as safe as possible. A successful claim depends on the extent and severity of your injuries. Don’t forget to keep prescription slips and medical bills in a safe place. Medical records can be used to show your out-of-pocket expenses for treatment and medications too.
Income records can be necessary for proving the lost wages component of the compensation. You may have missed work or taken a few days or weeks off from work because of medical treatment for your injuries. Accurate recordkeeping and proper documentation of medical treatment plans can be crucial evidence to help you get the compensation you deserve for your injury.
Need for Photographic Evidence and Police Report
A police report is not always admissible in court as evidence. But it can often be used during negotiations with the insurance company to tip the scale. This is especially true in cases where there are facts in the police report that implicate the at-fault person, which is valuable evidence that works in your favor.
Generally, police reports contain the witness testimony or statements and contact information of all parties involved. In some cases, the witness statements or testimony of the reporting officer may recount an unbiased version of the events leading up to the accident. For instance, if you were in a car accident because the other driver jumped a red light, the police report may contain this important piece of information.
This legal evidence may help you avoid the legal process of going to trial in many cases. You may be able to get the compensation you deserve during settlement negotiations. Photographic evidence is useful in many personal injury cases in establishing fault as well. Always take as many photographs reviewing medical records and videos of suffered injuries as possible at the scene of the accident. You should include photographs and necessary records of any injuries or property damage suffered by other people involved in the accident too.
Don’t forget to take photographs and make videos of contributing factors. For instance, if the roads were slick after a short rain spell, you should take photographs showing this. It may come in useful if the personal injury case goes to trial.
Types of Records to Maintain in a Personal Injury Claim
There are five broad categories of records that can increase the likelihood of obtaining compensation in personal injury cases:
- Medical records: You can show important your medical history, records, and documents to prove the type of treatment and compensation needed to cover all future medical care needs and expenses. Medical documentation and records include treatment plans, recommended appointments with healthcare providers, prescription bills, hospital stays, transport costs for keeping your appointment, and others. You may be able to claim compensation for emotional distress and psychological damage as well.
- Employment and other medical documents and records: It’s possible that you have suffered injuries that may not allow you to work in the same capacity as before. In addition to medical records, you may need employment records and medical documents detailing your designation and job responsibilities to secure adequate compensation in your personal injury case.
- Income records: W-2 forms, recent pay stubs reviewing medical records, medical bills and records, and other income records can be useful in the legal process for proving the lost income and wages and other financial losses. The insurance company may be asked to compensate for both past and financial impact, future lost income, and lost wages too.
- Property damage: In Louisiana, claimants of injuries can seek compensation for repairing property damage. If you were in a car accident, you should keep the repair bills safe for claiming damages.
- Personal injury claims journal: Keeping a daily log of events in a journal can help secure the compensation you need. Make sure you jot down all facts related to the accident and your own future medical needs and care needs for care, treatment, and recovery. Injury claims can stretch for weeks and months. This journal can be used to jog your memory.
You need to make sure the important medical records are kept in a safe and orderly manner. It is best to categorize them and maintain them in chronological order. Your personal injury attorney will find it easier to access information. Record-keeping can provide you with an of the importance of keeping accurate medical records both in a case and on a timeline.
Keeping accurate records can also be helpful when calculating your losses. Medical expenses are usually the largest economic component of personal injury lawsuits. You should maintain these records properly so that your attorney can accurately calculate the amount to be claimed.
Talk to a Skilled and Knowledgeable Personal Injury Lawyer – Book Your Consultation Today
The attorneys at Trainor Law Firm, LLC can give you solid legal advice and file a successful personal injury claim on your behalf. If you or someone you love was injured in an accident, we are here to help you get the compensation you rightfully deserve. Call us at 985-900-2250 or reach us online to schedule your free consultation and case assessment.
