The last thing you’re thinking about after getting hurt in an accident is paperwork. Your top priority is to heal and get better. This is the first step for improving your well-being.
Next is your rights. They are also important. If you need to take legal action, providing the facts about your injury to an attorney is critical. The sooner, the better.
While a claim for injury compensation is based on what occurred and who was at fault, it’s crucial you are able to provide concrete information about the injury you suffered. Equip yourself with as much information as possible.
This means it helps to stay organized!
So, what are the best ways to prepare for a personal injury lawsuit? Here are a few key tips to get you started:
The attorney will have a file on you, so why not have one for yourself? The police report, your injury, and the accident are all sources of paperwork. Keep every piece of paper you receive in your personal file.
If you need to get an expanded file wallet, so be it. This is not a time to throw anything away. Keep the documents together, in order by date, and take the binder wherever you go.
After the accident, several different people and places will be handing you paperwork. You must develop a way to categorize everything so you can retrieve exactly what you need, right when you need it.
Some of the basic files include:
This folder will have all of your medical records, lab results, physical therapy, psychiatry, and any other documents related to your diagnosis.
These should be kept separately from your medical records. It should include all receipts for any expenses related to your injury.
Any letter you receive from legal counsel should go in this folder.
Any letters you receive from opposing parties, or any other people involved with your case, should go in this section.
All pictures you have related to your personal injury. This can include pictures of the scene of the accident, your injury, physical therapy, or any other images that help others understand the impact this has had on you.
Any legal filings or court documents belong in the file.
Keep the contact information and notes you have for anyone that witnessed your accident.
Track all of your salary information and lost wages. This will need to include things like check stubs, timesheets, or W-2 forms. It can also include notes or letters from your work.
If you have a lot of records on your smartphone, it may be wise to also set up a filing system for digital documents. In some cases, paper documents might not be available.
If you’re worried about keeping track of virtual paperwork, you can always request things be sent via snail mail or print out the documents as you get them on your phone.
In addition to a file folder, it's super important to have a calendar. You’ll have a lot of appointments to keep and showing up late to some may make or break your case. Using automatic alerts on your phone is probably the best way to stay on top of things.
You may want to also invest in a big calendar for your wall. Used in conjunction with your phone alerts, you can visibly plot out each month so you won’t miss critical appointments like:
This also helps you provide accurate testimony on exactly what you have done to take care of your health and support your claim.
The files you keep provide an important record of your injury, treatment, and how it has affected your job, family, and everyday life. Obtaining fair compensation after you’re injured through the negligence of others is very important.
Give yourself the best chance of winning possible by staying organized, every step of the way.
Get started on your case today at injury.com. We’ll help you get the ball rolling in just 3 minutes.