Help Your Case: What to Keep After Your Wreck

If you've been involved in a car accident and are considering hiring a lawyer to help you with a personal injury claim, there are several documents and pieces of information you should gather to assist your attorney in building your case. Here's a list of important documents to collect:

1. Accident Report: Obtain a copy of the official police report or incident report if one was filed. This document will contain essential details about the accident, including the location, time, and a preliminary assessment of fault.

2. Insurance Information: Gather your insurance policy information and that of the other driver(s) involved in the accident. This includes insurance companies' names and policy numbers.

3. Medical Records: Collect all medical records related to your injuries. This includes records from the emergency room, hospital, doctors' visits, and any specialists you've seen. Document the names and contact information of all medical providers.

4. Medical Bills: Keep copies of all medical bills, invoices, and receipts related to your treatment. This includes hospital bills, pharmacy receipts, and bills for any medical equipment you needed.

5. Photographs: If you or someone at the scene took photos of the accident, vehicles, injuries, or any other relevant details, provide those to your attorney.

6. Witness Information: Gather the names and contact information of any witnesses to the accident. Their statements may be valuable in establishing what happened.

7. Communication Records: Keep records of all communications related to the accident, including emails, text messages, and letters with insurance companies, the other driver, and any witnesses.

8. Repair Estimates: If your vehicle was damaged in the accident, collect repair estimates, bills, and records related to the vehicle's repair.

9. Lost Wages:  If you've missed work due to your injuries, document your lost wages, including pay stubs, time off requests, and any communication with your employer regarding your absence.

10. Photographs of Injuries: Take photographs of your injuries as they heal or progress. These photos can be essential for documenting the extent of your injuries.

11. Expert Opinions: If you've consulted with medical experts or other specialists, gather their reports and opinions.  Typically, we handle hiring experts to assess your medical condition and what happened, but you may have already begun working with someone in the medical field to establish causation. If so, let us know!

12. Insurance Correspondence: Save copies of all correspondence with your own insurance company, including claim forms and communication about your injuries and coverage.

13. Notes and Diary: Maintain a diary or notes about your recovery process, pain levels, and how the accident has affected your daily life. These notes can help your lawyer understand the impact of your injuries.

By gathering these documents and pieces of information, you'll provide your attorney with the necessary tools to evaluate and build your personal injury case effectively. Consult with your lawyer for specific guidance on what documents they require for your particular situation.

As a client, we will help you gather any necessary documents to help assess and build your personal injury claim, but the more proactive that the client is on the front end, the easier it is to make the necessary evaluations and move forward efficiently and quickly to handle your case and hold those accountable to working with us!