How Do I Prove My Injuries After a Car Accident?
How to Protect Your Injury Claim Following a Traffic Accident
Let’s say you were involved in a car accident and suffered injuries because of a negligent driver. It’s something that happens all the time. So, what do you do to prove those injuries? What you do depends on the severity of your injuries or whether you exhibit any personal harm at all right after a traffic accident. The following information may help.
Reporting the Accident and Getting Medical Care
Reporting the accident is vital so that police and first responders arrive at the scene, giving evidence that your collision occurred. You can obtain a copy of the police report at the location or later by requesting it. You will be transported to a hospital for further attention if your injuries are serious. Even if minor injuries occur, you can still go to the hospital to be checked out, which is something you should do.
Not feeling any pain or other physical problems? Remember that symptoms of some potentially serious injuries are delayed or masked because of shock and adrenaline rush. You should still get checked out to establish a record that you sought medical attention for possible injuries. Don’t tell responding police or fire personnel that you’re fine. This may make it more challenging to place an injury claim later.
Keep a Record of Your Injury Costs
If you are hospitalized after a car accident, you will probably face medical costs such as physicians’ bills, tests, medications, physical therapy, and the ambulance fee. These costs can mount quickly. Keep your receipts and bills together in a convenient location to prove your losses. Those who are not hospitalized will still face the initial emergency room fee, tests and other costs. You also may have return visits to your doctor to monitor your progress. Those bills and receipts should also be kept in a central location.
Let Your Injury Lawyer Handle Your Car Accident Case
There are multiple reasons to let a personal injury lawyer handle your claim. Because insurance companies are notorious for making low offers to settle, a lawyer will protect your interests and work hard toward obtaining maximum compensation for you. In addition, those insurance companies and the attorney for the at-fault driver may try to place at least part of the blame on you to lower the payout. Your injury lawyer won’t let that happen.
Another consideration is your medical record and previous injuries or treatments. The insurance company should not be allowed to see your older medical records because they can use them against you. Your lawyer can challenge any accusations that your injury is due to previous trauma and use an expert witness to show that the car accident injury is either entirely new or increased your previous trauma and made it worse. Because injuries cannot only cause physical but long-term emotional and psychological trauma, getting the legal help you need is important for recovery and to reduce financial stress.
Travis Law Firm: Protecting Your Rights in Erie, Pennsylvania
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, the Travis Law Firm is here to help you with compassion and professionalism. We offer free consultations when you call us at (814) 277-2222. Please feel free to contact us online. If you have been injured in any way, we can help you obtain compensation. We promise we will work hard to help you get the compensation you deserve.