Steps to Gather Proof in Illinois Personal Injury Cases

 Posted on July 31, 2018 in Car Accidents

In almost every way, car accidents can be traumatic, affecting you emotionally, mentally and especially, physically. Even if the car accident was a minor one, you can come out of it with serious injuries that put a damper on your well being. These injuries can become costly medical bills and can cause you to lose out on wages at work. Thankfully, if you can successfully prove a personal injury car accident claim, you might be able to recover some of these lost expenses, but only if you have proof and documentation. Proper records and proof can be lifesavers when it comes to proving cases. Here are six tips on how to keep thorough records of your personal injuries:

1. Take Photographs

Having photographs available as evidence is one of the best ways to prove your case. Photographs are hard evidence and can help illustrate the extent of the damage from the accident. Be sure to take photos of:

• Your car’s damage;
• The accident location; and
• Your injuries.

It is also a good idea to have recent photos of yourself before the car accident occurred, especially if your injuries from the accident resulted in scarring or disfigurement.

2. Keep A Journal

Keeping a daily journal about how you are feeling is also a good way of documenting the timeline of your injuries. You should be sure to document everything in the journal from how you are feeling mentally and emotionally, to any pain you are feeling physically. You should also write down any symptoms you are having--journals like this can also be good to use when consulting with your doctor.

3. Keep Medical Receipts

Any time you make a purchase that is related to the injuries sustained by your accident, you should keep the receipts. These receipts will be key in determining how much compensation you are entitled to. You should keep receipts for all purchases such as:

• Co-payments;
• Prescriptions;
• Out-of-pocket costs; and
• Special equipment or foods.

4. Compile Doctor’s Visit Summaries

Typically, when you go to the doctor, the office will give you a summary of your visit that describes what you and the doctor talked about or did during the appointment. These can be helpful in documenting the timeline and progression of your injuries. You should keep all of these summaries as evidence of the extent of your injuries.

5. Have Proof of Lost Wages

If your injury forced you to take time off of work, you could have missed out on much-needed pay. Not only has your injury hit you with unexpected medical costs, but now has interfered with your earning capacity, whether it is permanent or temporary. You should get a letter from both your doctor, explaining why your injuries have prevented you from working, and your employer, explaining your job and why you cannot work if you are injured. You should also provide evidence of how much pay you have lost with pay stubs or tax documents.

6. Hire an Accomplished Car Accident Attorney

One of the most important steps you can take if you are pursuing a car accident injury claim is hiring a competent and tenacious Bloomingdale personal injury lawyer. The attorneys at the Law Offices of David W. Clark, P.C. have decades of experience in proving car accident injury claims and can help you get the compensation you deserve. Call the office at 630-665-5678 to set up a consultation.

Sources:

https://www.dmv.org/insurance/tips-on-documenting-personal-injury-expenses.php

https://www.dmv.org/insurance/wage-loss-in-personal-injury-auto-accident-cases.php