In the initial aftermath of your personal injury accident, you may be too stunned to function properly. Even worse, you may instantly be in a great deal of pain from your incurred bodily injuries and be unable to think straight. Despite all this, you must work to the best of your ability to document your injuries. This is for the sake of your potential, future legal claim to hold the negligent third party accountable. With that being said, please read on to discover the steps toward documenting your injuries after an accident and how a seasoned Leonardtown personal injury lawyer at The Dorsey Law Firm can guide you through each one.
What is the purpose of documenting my injuries?
Closely recording your incurred bodily injuries from your personal injury accident is arguably the most important action you may take as the plaintiff of a legal claim. This may be argued for the following reasons:
- Your documented injuries may help satisfy the burden of proof you carry as the plaintiff of a legal claim.
- Your documented injuries may draw a connection between them and the third party’s negligence in the accident event.
- Your documented injuries may enhance the credibility of the amount of economic and non-economic damages you are claiming.
- Your documented injuries may minimize the potential arguments the defendant may make against you in your claim proceedings.
What are the steps for documenting my injuries after a personal injury accident?
Certain sets of procedures must be loosely followed for any personal injury accident. So while going through these motions, you may collect documentation of your injuries along the way. Usually first is calling a law enforcement officer to report to your accident scene. They may conduct an official accident report, which you must request a copy of. This report may detail the visible bodily injuries the officer observed.
From here, you may also ask the officer to dispatch an ambulance on your behalf. This is so you may be transported to the emergency room for testing, treatment, and an official diagnosis of your injuries. While you are waiting for an ambulance to arrive, you may take photos of your visible bodily injuries. And once you are in the emergency room, you may ask for copies of your medical records, test results, bills, and doctor’s notes that state the same date as your accident event.
Lastly, after your initial emergency room visit, you may continue attending follow-up appointments with your primary healthcare provider as directed. This is so you may continue to collect relevant medical evidence. You may even ask your doctor to testify on your behalf in your claim proceedings.
If you are looking for more clarity on the matter, please allow a competent Leonardtown personal injury lawyer to offer it to you. Schedule an appointment with The Dorsey Law Firm today.
