If you have been in a car accident in West Pam Beach, there are a couple of steps you should take to protect your health and well-being, but it is also imperative that you keep a paper trail of those actions. The more documentation you can gather that connects your injuries to the accident, the stronger your compensation claim will be.
In this article, our West Palm Beach auto accident attorney provides a documentation checklist you can follow to protect your injury claim.
Why Documentation Is Critical After a Car Accident
Regrettably, we do not live in a world where you can just call your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance provider, tell them what happened, and they will cover your losses. To receive the coverage we pay for, though, we must present evidence.
Insurance companies are just that, a company. They are in business to make money, not spend it. When you file an insurance claim, the insurance adjusters will be looking for every opportunity to save money. In fact, some of the most common reasons valid claims get delayed or denied are due to missing documentation.
However, strong documentation with your claim will support their liability and your damages.
Immediate Documentation at the Accident Scene
So, what do you need for your personal injury claim? Well, the first thing you should do is call 911 so that you can get a police report generated. This report will contain key information and provide an unbiased assessment of the accident. The responding officer should provide you with a case number, and most reports can be obtained online.
You can also:
- Take photos and videos of vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signs, and your injuries
- Ask for witness information, including names, phone numbers, and statements, if possible
- Request the other driver’s license number, insurance, and contact information
Once you collect these items, find a safe place to save them. Your auto accident injury attorney in West Palm Beach can use them with your claim.
Medical Documentation That Strengthens Your Injury Claim
Your next action should be seeing to your injuries. Whether you go to the emergency room, urgent care, or your primary care doctor, you must see a doctor immediately, preferably that day. Any delay between the accident and your doctor’s visit can be used to devalue your claim. Their diagnosis can then be added to your claim to validate the severity of your injuries. Documents may include:
- Emergency room and initial treatment records
- Ongoing medical records, such as doctor visits, specialists, and physical therapy
- Diagnostic tests, including X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans
- Invoices and receipts for your medical expenses and prescriptions
As important as immediate medical attention is, following your doctor’s treatment plan is. Any gaps in medical treatment can hurt your claim.
Financial and Employment Records to Prove Losses
Next, your car accident attorney in West Palm Beach will need to demonstrate how the accident and your injuries have impacted your financial stability. That means your lost wages today and future earning capacity tomorrow.
You will need such documents as:
- Pay stubs, employer letters, and missed work logs
- Medical reports on any long-term or permanent injuries
- Invoices and receipts for transportation, medical equipment, and home modifications
Personal Injury Evidence Most People Overlook
Our West Palm Beach personal injury lawyer also recommends that you collect personal records. You could keep a daily journal on your recovery, recording your pain levels, medications you take, limitations you have, and your emotional state. With it, you can take photos of your injury as it heals.
It is also highly recommended that you keep a record of all emails or letters from the insurers and your medical providers.
How a West Palm Beach Car Accident Lawyer Helps Protect Your Documentation
All the documentation mentioned above is available to you as the accident victim. However, trying to recover from your injuries while at the same time compiling an insurance claim, not including having to deal with difficult insurance adjusters, could be more than you could reasonably handle.
And you shouldn’t have to handle it. You should be focused on your recovery. Florida car accident lawyers can take over your case and do the following:
- Organize and preserve evidence
- Communicate with insurance companies on your behalf
- Identify missing or weak documentation
- Ensure deadlines and legal requirements are met
They can take on the responsibility of building a compelling demand package or litigation file, leaving you at peace to recover from your injuries.
What to Do If You’re Missing Documents
If you are missing any of these documents, you don’t need to worry. These items can be recovered. Your attorney can request copies of the police report, seek medical records from your doctors and hospitals, collect pay stubs and financial records regarding your income, and obtain statements from witnesses.
But you must contact them as soon as possible. The longer you delay, the more likely evidence may disappear or be destroyed.
Call the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato For Assistance Today
So whether you need a truck accident lawyer or a hit and run attorney in Florida, call the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato to schedule a free consultation. The consultation is free, and legal representation is on a contingency fee agreement. You pay nothing up front. Our attorney fees come from the settlement or court award you win. If you don’t win, you pay nothing.
Call (844) 643-7200 today to get started.