After a car accident—or any type of injury, for that matter—you have to deal with quite a lot: recuperating, getting back to normal, getting back to work, dealing with bills and repairs, etc. When a personal injury lawyer steps in and takes your case they take on the responsibility of handling the nitty-gritty such as corresponding with the involved insurance companies, opposing lawyers, etc. When you team up with a personal injury lawyer, you should feel that a great burden is lifted off your shoulders—you have plenty to worry about. However, there are some things that the lawyers can’t do for you and there are other things that, if you do, will make your case stronger. In this blog we’re going to detail some of the things that you can do after your accident—even while a lawyer is working on your case—to make sure that you’re in the best position to receive the compensation you deserve.
First, if you were in a car accident, keep track of all of your car repair bills! If you need a bumper repaired or a side door replaced, that all costs money. The money you spend (or your insurance company pays) on that is money you wouldn’t have had to spend were it not for the accident—therefore, the person at fault in your accident should be responsible for covering said costs. That said, the negligent party—and their insurance company for sure—will not just take your word for what you spent on repair bills. Make sure that you keep receipts, work orders, and any other types of documentation from wherever your vehicle is repaired. Ask them for a photocopy of any documents that they have relating to the work on your car. Also, take PICTURES of all damage to your car BEFORE it is fixed. This will come in handy!
Similarly, and this should go without saying, if you have any hospital bills and records, make sure you have copies of them. If an ambulance came to the scene of the accident to pick you up, get those records. If the ambulance took you to an emergency room where you were treated and/or evaluated, get a hold of those records. If you have follow-ups at various medical practitioners, keep records and bills from all of those appointments. Just like the compensation for losses on repair bills, these medical bills will serve as evidence of your financial loss. The records, additionally, will serve as evidence of other types of losses—physical, emotional, etc. The losses that might be documented in your medical records and doctors reports will come in handy when dealing with loss of work, loss of enjoyment of life, etc. Medical records are really, really important to hold onto.
Make sure that you keep track of all of your credit card statements that list any expenses related to your accident—if you had to buy crutches, Advil, prescription medicine, a taxi because you can’t drive, etc., all of those expenses might losses you could be compensated for. Make sure you keep track of all of these relevant expenses.
Finally, keep a daily diary. After your accident, keep track of how you are feeling. Are you experiencing pain? Did you miss a cousin’s wedding because of your injury? Did you miss a promotion at work because you had to stay home and deal with your injury? All of these personal narratives will serve to strengthen your case.
Following these suggestions can make your case that much stronger and your recovery that much easier. If you have any concerns of questions, feel free to contact us for a free consultation at 561-266-9191 or daronberg@aronberglaw.com.
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