Have you been injured in a car accident? Were you a victim of medical malpractice? Or were you hurt at work? If so, you may have a claim worth pursuing. But before you do, it’s essential to know precisely what you need to file your personal injury claim. Read on to learn what items you need to get financial compensation for a personal injury case.
Types of Documents
1. Medical Reports
Your health records should be provided to your personal injury attorney as soon as possible. These requests can take some time to be fulfilled. It might be helpful to provide your attorney with the health records you already have in your possession so they can see the full scope of your medical problems and injuries. You may be surprised how many health records will be needed for your case.
2. Police Reports
All parties may access the police report once it is complete. There may be more than one report if there is more than one responding police officer or law enforcement agency. Sometimes an accident reconstruction report produced by a specialized division within the police department will be delivered to the scene of an accident. The reports should not be used as definitive evidence but can prove helpful for winning the case. Labs and agencies might generate other reports in cooperation with the investigating law enforcement agency due to the police officer’s observations.
3. W-2 Form
A W-2 form or employer statement can prove your lost wages during your recovery from an accident. These can be statements from your employer or even your W-2s from previous years. You should also keep copies of any expenses you incurred due to the accident, such as medical or rental car expenses. If you were injured, you should also list the expenses your family incurred while they provided you with care.
Legal Process
A personal injury claim is a legal process that a person must follow to seek compensation for damages incurred due to a negligent act or omission. To pursue a personal injury claim, the person must first file a complaint with law enforcement. An attorney will review all available evidence and investigate the matter. Based on this investigation, an attorney may draft and submit a formal complaint to the appropriate authority. The authority will then investigate the complaint and issue a final decision on whether or if compensation is warranted.
When you file a personal injury claim, your legal team will investigate and determine whether or not the injury you suffered was caused by the fault of another party, which is usually referred to as negligence. If so, your attorney will draft and file your claim with the proper authority. Depending on where you live, the same court will hear a personal injury case ranging from small claims to high-value cases. The court you choose will have to consider all the relevant factors of your case and, ultimately, decide whether to compensate you for your losses.
