Tips for Keeping Your Personal Injury Claim Organized

Jul 12,2018

After an accident that resulted in injuries, there is a lot that takes place in a very quick time frame. Police arrive. Paramedics assess people for injuries. You might be taken to the hospital. You might then have to undergo a procedure, or be referred to a specialist. Treatment could be a long process, depending on the type and severity of injuries you suffered. Amid what might be a chaotic time in your life, your instinct might be to lose focus and fail to be organized. However, it is during this time that you must be diligent. Your personal injury claim can be greatly affected by the steps you take after the accident.

One important thing to do at every step in the injury claim process is to keep your claim information accurately recorded and well organized. This can significantly help you when it comes time to negotiate your claim with the insurance company.

Here are the relevant documents you will want to have organized in your personal injury claim file:

All relevant information about the at-fault driver. This includes their name and contact information, as well as details about the vehicle involved in the accident.
All information about the insurance companies involved and your correspondence. This should include your own car insurance policy, as well as the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Make sure you have the name and contact information of the insurance adjuster working on your claim. You also want a record of all correspondence with the at-fault driver and their insurance company. If any settlement offers have been made, keep a record of these as well.
Accurate record of all of your medical treatment. Get the names of the doctors and nurses who treated you at the hospital. If you are later treated by your primary care doctor or a specialist, keep records of those appointments as well. Keep copies of all your prescriptions, charts, test results, etc. Also keep a copy of all of your medical bills.
Witness information. If there were witnesses to your accident, keep copies of their statements and make sure you have their names and contact information written down.
Photographs and notes taken at the scene. Unless you are too injured to do so, you should always take photos at the scene and write down any relevant details about the accident. This is when your memory of the events will be the freshest. You will also have the best chance of capturing crucial information right after the accident, such as statements from witnesses, statements made by the other driver, and contact information of everyone involved.

Out-of-pocket expenses. From prescription co-pays to mileage to and from the doctor, you will likely have quite a bit of out-of-pocket expenses related to your injury. Keep an accurate record of these costs so they can be factored into the settlement negotiations.

Property damage costs. Keep all information related to the damage to your vehicle or other personal property that occurred during the accident. This can include the cost of the repair and also the diminished value of your vehicle due to the accident history.
Record of work-related damages. If you have missed work due to your injuries, you can be compensated for lost wages. Moreover, you can be compensated for loss of earning capacity if your injuries interfere with your work over the long-term.

As you can see, there are many pieces of information you need to keep organized during the injury claim process. Working with a personal injury attorney can greatly help you with this task, as your attorney will be keeping copies of your records as well. Your attorney will also help direct you in acquiring and retaining the documents that will be important for your claim.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the California personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured in an auto accident and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today at (760) 777-7777 for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, El Centro, and Yucca Valley, and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.