Common Documents and Forms You May See in a Personal Injury Claim

May 22nd, 2020

When you’ve suffered injuries in an accident caused by someone else’s bad acts, it has an impact on every area of your life. To help compensate you for the physical, emotional, and economic damages you suffered, a personal injury claim may be necessary.

To make a claim you’ll need evidence, and this is typically documents, forms, and other written proof of the accident, damages, and injuries. You will also need a personal injury attorney like the ones at Davis Injury Lawyers, PLLC, who will fight to get you all the compensation you deserve.

What You’ll Need for Your Claim

Here’s a checklist of the types of documents you need for your personal injury claim. Don’t worry. When working with our firm, we’ll help gather these.

1. Statement and notes:

This category of documents is broad. Documents will include statements from witnesses to the incident that caused your injuries to your personal statement.

In addition, you may have made notes at the time or kept a personal journal since your injuries. Your journal could be notes that detail your pain and suffering, diminished daily activities, mental health status, and other impact to your life caused by the accident.

2. Photos, video, and audio:

Depending on how seriously you were hurt, you could have in your possession pictures you took at the accident scene of your property damage and physical injuries. You may have video of what the area looked like or of witnesses and the at-fault party.

If you were unable to record through video, photograph, or audio, someone else may have done so given the prevalence of smart phones. In addition, there may have been traffic cameras, security cameras, or news media that has relevant photos, video, or audio.

3. Official reports:

Traffic accidents often result in police reports after they respond to the scene. But there could be other official reports as well, such as from the department of highway safety. If someone called 911, there is a recording of the call and a transcript can be requested too.

4. Insurance:

All things related to insurance are part of pursuing a personal injury claim. As your representative we will work with the insurance companies, so you don’t have to. It is vitally important not to discuss your case with an insurance adjuster. Let us do that. Insurance companies, even your own, are focused on settling your claim for as little as possible.

For your claim, you will need to provide your insurance card, any communications with the insurance companies involved, and the other party’s insurance information.

5. W2s:

To seek compensation for lost wages due to the accident, we will need a few years of your W2 records. Damages can’t be speculative and in the abstract. There must be evidence as to how much your income was reduced because of your injuries and property damage.

6. Medical:

To prove the extent and cause of your injuries your medical reports are required. This will include your initial visit, any second opinion, ongoing treatment records, and specialist reports. To make it less stressful on you, we can gather those for you after you sign an authorization allowing us to do so.

7. Physical evidence:

Until your personal injury attorney tells you otherwise, it is a good idea to keep any damaged items from the accident. These might include clothes worn at time and broken personal items.

8. History and research:

When you work with our firm, we will conduct research about the parties involved, as well as any vehicles, machines, or other items. We will look for evidence of past violations, safety concerns, recalls, and service history.

9. Bills and invoices:

Much like the necessity of W2s, your bills, invoices, and receipts must be presented so your damages can be ascertained. These will include bills for medical expenses and property repairs. Included in these documents should be estimates and receipts for expenses already paid.

Hurt in an Accident? Let Us Help

When you’ve been injured in an accident, the last thing you want to worry with is the financial burden created by it. You need your strength to get better and get back to your regular life. But you are due compensation for the damages someone else caused. That is where Davis Injury Lawyers can help. Let us pursue your personal injury claim. We understand how to get what you deserve from insurance companies and if they won’t settle, we have the experience to see them in court.