Jesse Gonzalez of J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys knows that securing evidence is one of the most crucial parts of the investigation process when filing a personal injury claim. It’s important to begin collecting evidence immediately as liable parties are often in the habit of “losing” important information.
What types of evidence should be collected?
Depending on the circumstances of your personal injury, there are various pieces of evidence that you may need to collect. It is important to be aware, however, that evidence from a workplace accident might differ slightly from a commercial truck accident, for example.
Still, there are several key pieces that you will want to collect, including:
Accident Report
An accident report – in the case of a car accident – provides an objective perspective of the accident that took place and is made by a law enforcement officer. The report will contain information about who was involved, where the incident occurred, cause of the accident, injuries, as well as who they believe is responsible.
Physical Evidence
Depending on your specific case, you may be able to obtain a number of tangible objects such as torn or bloodied clothing, broken tools or products, photos of property damage, and the likes.
Medical Records
Medical records will provide details about your personal injury. It is recommended to request a medical record from every health provider and office you may deal with following your personal injury, including:
The hospital
Primary care providers
Physical therapists
Psychologists
Specialists
Emergency room
Surgical centers
Diagnostic centers
Keep all medical bills, hospital statements, prescriptions, receipts, discharge information and treatment documentation you may receive safe.
Insurance Communication
Any communication with insurance companies should be recorded either in text or audio. This can help you avoid having your words being purposely misconstrued by the insurer. Provide any notes you have taken to your lawyer.
Truck Accident Evidence
Should you be involved in an accident with a commercial truck, there are several credible sources of evidence you will want to collect including: truck driver logs, medical history, qualifications and driving record of the truck driver, documentation of routine maintenance, inspections and repair records, cell phones records and cargo inspection documentation.
Evidence of Lost Wages
Serious personal injuries can prevent you from completely returning to work or inhibit your ability to return to the position you once had. Since you may be entitled to recover these damages, you will want to collect relevant evidence.
If your healthcare provider(s) determine that you will not be able to return to work, get official documentation stating this. Make a copy and turn this information in to your employer. Ask them for documentation stating how much compensation you will be losing for the days you will be missing. If you need to use vacation time or some other form of leave, ask your employer to include this in the letter.
Need support collecting all these forms of evidence? The team at J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys can help. Visit www.jgonzalezlawfirm.com to learn how.
