How to Handle Your Personal Injury Claim
Once you have hired a personal injury attorney to represent you in your automobile accident, you should follow some basic guidelines to help your case go as smoothly as possible. These are our suggestions we recommend that you follow to help ensure the success of your personal injury case.
Protect Yourself and Your Case
? Take Photographs. Please take color photos of your injuries and of the damage to your car or property as quickly as possible. Give the photos and negatives to us immediately. If you do not have access to a camera, we will make arrangements to take the photographs ourselves.
? Start a Personal Appointment Book. Write down the dates and times you will need to meet with your doctor, car repair shop, and other people as a result of the accident. If you don’t have an appointment book, you can use the appointment log at the end of this article.
? Keep us informed of Your Medical Treatment. Please keep us informed of all hospitals, doctors, clinics, etc. where you are treated for your injuries. If your doctor refers you to another doctor or specialist, please notify us immediately. Finally, please be sure to tell us when your doctors have completed their treatment.
? Keep All Your Bills and Get Receipts. Keep all your medical bills and mail them to us. In addition, get receipts for all prescriptions and medical appliances you buy as well as other medical related expenses you incur at your doctor’s request. And get receipts for all transportation expenses (bus, taxi, metro, parking, etc.) you incur traveling to and from the hospital, doctor or physical therapy. If you drive to the doctor, please write down the mileage for each visit. Please be sure to mail all of your receipts to us, along with your medical bills.
? Document Lost Wages. If you are unable to go to work, make sure you get a “disability certificate” from your doctor at each and every visit. Please mail this certificate to us for placement in your file. When you return to work, ask your employer to mail us a statement of the wages you lost because of the accident. This statement must be on your employer’s stationary and state your job title, hourly or salary pay, and the amount of time you missed as a result of the accident. It should be signed by a company official. A sample Loss of Wage Verification form is included at the end of this article.
? Keep A Diary. Keep a diary or make written notes of those days and nights, if any, that you experience severe pain or discomfort.
? Report Any Prior Injuries or Pain. Be sure to tell us about any pain or injury to any parts of your body that you had before the accident. Many cases may be lost because the injured person fails to disclose a previous injury.
? Keep Your Medical Cast or Brace. If your injury requires a cast, brace, traction or other medical appliance, make sure you save it. Notify us when your medical appliance is removed, so we can tell you what to do with it in preparing your case.
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