The Importance of Keeping Accurate Records in a Personal Injury Case

A personal injury case, whether a car accident, premises slip and fall, a dog bite, or a pedestrian accident, will require accurate record-keeping in order to recover your claim for damages against the at-fault party. Once injured, you likely will be transported to a nearby medical facility. There you will be seen by doctors and nurses and evaluated. X-rays may be taken, along with blood work. You may be admitted to the hospital.  All of these medical records belong to you. You should retain them and record everything in a personal injury journal. Do not turn them over to the insurance company for the other side, even if they are requested.Strong medical documentation of your injury will increase your chances of obtaining adequate compensation for your injuries. It is especially important to retain an experienced, compassionate personal injury attorney to advise you at this time in order to maximize your chances for a successful claim.Accurate RecordsAccurate medical records will be needed after you file your personal injury claim to determine your economic damages. Most of your economic damages will come from your medical costs. Accurate and quantifiable records will become the basis of your case.You must be able to document and prove to the other side the amount of money you’ve spent as a result of your accident. The insurance provider for the at-fault party will be responsible for your compensation. In a successful claim, you will need to present:* The cost of your medical care* The ambulance cost* The cost of your hospital stays * The emergency room costs* The costs of your imaging, including MRIs, X-Rays, CT scans* The costs of visits and treatments by specialists* Follow-up care will be part of our claim for compensation. It must all be chronicled, including physical therapy, medication, counseling, surgeries, and the cost of traveling to and from medical appointments. These records will help prove the elements of your claim and allow us to accurately determine the actual cost of your personal injury. As part of your case, we will have to show that your injuries resulted from a personal injury accident and were not pre-existing. To make that assertion, your previous medical records will help us convince the judge or jury that you were not being treated for any similar injuries prior to your percent personal injury accident. Additionally, you may have records that prove your vehicle was in good working order and had new tires. This is particularly important when the other side claims your vehicle’s condition caused the auto accident. CompensationThere are two types of compensation we will seek on your behalf. Compensatory damages – actual damages to compensate you for your losses, including medical bills, lost property, and lost income while you are out of work. These are economic damages. Non-economic damages include mental distress, the pain you suffer from your injuries, and the loss of consortium if you can no longer be with your partner.  Punitive damages – may be awarded to punish the defendant for their reckless action and deter future conduct. Punitive damages are only awarded in a wrongful death case in Alabama or where there was malice and reckless, wanton behavior.Your Alabama Personal Injury AttorneyAt the law office of Chip Nix, we rely on medical records as evidence of your present pain, future recovery and rehabilitation, and treatment that will be required. This is essential information to help us project the actual medical costs needed to adequately compensate you for your losses. Records are used to prove damages; without them, the other side can claim your injuries are not serious. Complete, accurate records will ultimately determine the worth of your case, whether medical bills, treatment, and ongoing physical and mental impacts. Mr. Nix has decades of experience in helping injured people prove their cases. During your complimentary consultation, Mr. Nix will determine if the evidence is strong enough to present to a jury or the insurance company. He will discuss your case’s strengths and weaknesses or determine if more records are needed before seeking compensation. Chip Nix, Attorney at Law, at (334) 279-7770 to find out how he can help you move forward with the compensation you deserve.