As with any lawsuit, personal injury claims need evidence. Not only do you need to prove that you were injured, but you also need to show the responsible party's liability. Hence, an experienced California personal injury lawyer will conduct their own investigation to strengthen your claim.
That said, much of the evidence can be acquired soon after the accident. Therefore, the best way to preserve your California personal injury claim is to get and hold on to these pieces of evidence.
Here are the types of proof that would help your Los Angeles personal injury claim in the future:
The Different Types Of Evidence To Prove Your California Personal Injury Claim
There are several ways to prove your Los Angeles personal injury claim. Most of which involves documenting and compiling accounts of what happened and what injuries you've sustained.
1. Accident Reports
Law enforcement will go to the scene of the accident and make a report. So, if you can, call 911 to send the police and medical personnel to your location ASAP.
An accident report is helpful because it gives a fair and accurate account of what happened. Officers will also interview you for your witness statement.
This police report will be publicly available a few days later. You'll be able to request and print your own copy then.
2. Health Records
You must get medical assistance right away if you have been hurt. By acting quickly, you can prevent your injuries from worsening. Not to mention, medical records are detailed documentation of the physical injuries you suffer.
The following sorts of medical records should be preserved:
- Records from the ER
- Medical reports
- Medical expenses
- Receipts for paying medical expenses
- Physical therapists' notes
- Psychiatric notes
Many people won't seek medical attention because they perceive their injuries as minor or mild. However, there's no telling if you suffer from injuries without outward symptoms.
Additionally, waiting out might result in your bruises and other injuries healing, which means they can't be adequately documented. Your Los Angeles personal injury lawyer will compile this evidence and use them to build a solid claim.
3. Employment Records Showing Missed Pay
Serious injuries frequently require individuals to forgo money or revenue because they must work less physically demanding jobs or miss work altogether.
You could recover your lost wages if your accident caused you to lose your ability to work or your wages. For example, you might ask that your employer keep thorough records of the days you cannot work, your pay rate, and the average weekly hours you work.
Additionally, request a medical note from your doctor indicating whether your injury keeps you from working. The notice should also specify how many days your doctor thinks you should be off work.
To demonstrate the amount of salary you lost due to your injuries, you might also need documentation of previous pay slips and employee records. Your California personal injury attorney can also seek the help of an accountant or an economist to calculate potential future economic losses you'll suffer due to your injuries.
4. Photos of the Scene of the Accident, Yourself, Your Injuries, and Your Damages
Photos can give insurance adjusters and jurors crucial context. If you are physically able, snap as many images as possible after the accident.
Images of the accident scene, your injuries, property damage, and other losses you suffered should be included. As you heal, make an effort to document your injury as well. To demonstrate to insurers how your injury has affected you since the accident, you may submit images of your injury.
5. Witness Statements
Because they offer an unbiased account of how the accident happened from people who are not invested in the claim, witness statements might be crucial to the success of your claim.
If you can, try to gather the names and phone numbers of any witnesses who saw the accident. Later, your Los Angeles personal injury lawyer might contact them and request their account of the accident.
6. Your Insurance Policy
Give a copy of the claim to your personal injury attorney if the accident results in a claim with your insurance provider so that they know the policy's exclusions and terms of coverage.
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