You may be suffering from serious injuries and damages after your involvement in a personal injury accident. What’s worse is if your accident was caused by no fault of your own. In this case, you must not stand idly by, but instead take action to document your damages. Read on to discover how a seasoned Hillsborough County personal injury lawyer at Merricks Law Group, P.A. can help you in this documentation process.
What damages are commonly associated with a personal injury accident?
Whether it be an auto accident, slip and fall accident, workplace accident, or otherwise, injuries and damages are likely to be the end result. The most common injuries and damages are as follows:
- Injuries:
- Neck injuries.
- Spinal cord injuries.
- Traumatic brain injuries.
- Bone fractures.
- Internal organ damage.
- Damages:
- The cost of medical bills.
- The cost of property damage repairs.
- Lost or diminished earning capacity.
- Emotional suffering from a reduced quality of life.
How do I document the damages for my personal injury claim?
Documenting your damages is likely the biggest responsibility you carry as a plaintiff of a personal injury claim. This responsibility is otherwise known as your burden of proof. This is so you can prove that your injuries and damages are directly tied to the negligence of the defendant. And ultimately, this is so you can receive a financial award that is fair and just to reach a full recovery.
Sometimes, mere photos and videos of your injuries and damages do not do enough justice for your claim. With that being said, it may be in your best interest to take the following approach immediately after your personal injury accident occurs:
- Call the police to come to the scene of your accident.
- Document: a copy of the official accident report.
- Speak with the property owner where your accident occurred, if applicable.
- Document: a copy of the surveillance camera footage of your accident.
- Speak with the witnesses where your accident occurred, if applicable.
- Document: an oral or written witness testimony.
- Speak with the other parties involved in your accident, if safe.
- Document: their contact information, and possibly even a confession of fault.
- Attend the ambulance that comes to the scene of your accident.
- Document: medical records that state the date and time of your accident.
- Allow the ambulance to take you to the emergency room.
- Document: medical records that state the seriousness of your injuries.
- Schedule follow-up appointments with your primary care physician, as directed.
- Document: medical bills that state the cost of your physical recovery.
If you are ready and willing to kickstart your personal injury claim, then you must employ a competent Hillsborough County personal injury lawyer today. We look forward to working alongside you.