Succeeding in a personal injury claim requires providing evidence that your injuries were directly caused by the defendant’s actions. This will include proving how the injury occurred and the extent of your damages.
The Connecticut personal injury attorneys at D’Amico & Pettinicchi can help you gather the necessary evidence to support your claim, as this information will be important for helping you recover the compensation you need.
Some of the things that are often necessary for building a strong personal injury claim include:
Accident Report
An accident report is an important document that provides an objective perspective on the details of an accident. This report will include information about who was involved in the incident, where the accident occurred, the cause of the accident and any resulting injuries, along with other details that will be important for building your case.
In car accidents, the responding police officer will create an accident report that you can request from the police department in the city where the accident occurred.
In a slip and fall accident, the place of business or public facility where the injury occurred may create an incident report to document the accident. You can request this report from the business or public facility.
It is essential that you request a copy of the accident or police report from your accident. This helps to create a link between the accident and your injuries.
Witness Statements
If possible, collect contact information for any witnesses who saw your accident. Your personal injury lawyer may need to follow up with these individuals to get a statement from them about the details of the accident.
Medical Records
Medical records are one of the most important pieces of evidence you can gather because medical expenses make up a significant portion of any settlement or award.
Medical records provide details about your injuries, including their severity, the treatment you have undergone, the extent of your pain and any treatment you may require in the future.
Request copies of your medical records from every health care provider you visit, including:
- Emergency responders
- Hospital
- Emergency room
- Surgical centers
- Diagnostic centers
- Primary care providers
- Specialists
- Physical therapists
- Psychologists
Keep detailed records of all medical bills, hospital statements, prescriptions, receipts, discharge information and treatment you have received.
Lost Wages
Your injury may prevent you from returning to work, whether for a couple of days or several months. Because you may be entitled to compensation for the wages you miss during that time, you will need to collect evidence of the days you missed and the wages you should have earned.
If your doctor recommends that you not return to work or that you only engage in reduced tasks, make sure to obtain a copy of the note to your employer. It should state how long you will be required to miss work.
You should also ask your employer for a document that specifies the days you missed and how much compensation you lost because of it. If you had to use vacation time or other leave time, request this information be included in the letter.
Photographic Evidence
Pictures can be very revealing and provide a visual representation of important aspects of your claim. Try to take photos of:
- Your injuries and how they progress
- Property damage
- The accident scene
Communication Records
If you speak with the insurance company or anyone else about your claim, keep detailed records about your conversations, including who you spoke to, when the conversation occurred and what you discussed. Save all emails and letters as well.
Insurance adjusters are skilled at getting information from claimants to use against them to try to reduce their payouts.
Once you hire a personal injury attorney, he or she can handle all communications with the insurance company for you.
Pain Journal
Your personal injury attorney may ask you to keep a daily journal to document your injuries and pain as you recover. This may be important for showing how your injuries affect your daily life. Make sure to write down everything you are experiencing related to your injuries.
Contact Our Personal Injury Lawyers
Our personal injury lawyers have decades of experience of handling all types of personal injury claims. We will work side-by-side with you to gather the evidence necessary to support your claim.
Contact us to request a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your legal options. We work on contingency, which means you do not owe any legal fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf.