What Documents Do You Need to Support Your Injury Claim?
It is essential that you have solid documentation for all claimed damages. Insurance adjusters are required to provide evidence to obtain authority for settlement. The more thorough the documentation you submit, the more likely you’ll be able to receive quick and fair compensation. The insurance company likely won’t pay you if you can’t back up a claim with documents. Our car accident lawyers can help you collect all necessary records for you. Additionally, they will prepare a demand packet to send to the insurance companies and negotiate a settlement on your behalf. In this blog post, we will go over some of the essential documents you need to prepare a demand packet for a personal injury claim.
Here are the types of documentation you should keep and submit for each category of damages:
Medical records and bills: You will need both the bills themselves and copies of your medical records to receive compensation for your medical expenses. Make sure to request all medical records from the diagnosis and treatment of your injuries, including diagnostic images such as MRIs and x-rays. You’ll also need to keep track of out-of-pocket expenses, such as prescriptions and transportation to and from appointments. Your medical records will establish your injuries and identify their cause in most situations. This is crucial because you need documentation not only to show that you were injured, but that you were also injured in the car accident. It’s common practice for insurance companies to argue that your injuries were caused by something other than the accident, so it’s crucial that your documentation shows otherwise. Obtaining medical records from larger hospitals and medical providers may take a few weeks or even months. You will often need to go through their records or billing departments and then wait for them to process your request. With smaller hospitals, chiropractors, or physical therapists, you can just call and request them to send you all your medical records and billing statements related to the accident.
Lost wages: If your injuries from the car accident cause you to miss work, whether for treatment or a recovery period, you can receive damages for wages you would have earned. Just like for medical bills, you’ll need to submit documentation to support any claim you make for lost wages. Here is a brief list of some of the documents you may use to support your claim for lost wages:
Doctor’s note: Try to obtain a letter from your doctor describing your injuries, the treatment you received, and the recovery process you need to heal. It should also explain why your injuries prevented you from working, as well as a recommendation for how much time to take off work.
Income Verification: If you are a W-2 employee, the easiest way to prove your pay rate is by submitting your most recent pay stubs. If you don’t have these, you can offer direct deposit records or the previous year’s tax return or W-2. Those who are self-employed can submit business records, such as invoices for the same time of the prior year or the previous year’s tax return, to establish how much money you would have made in the period you were unable to work.
Letter from your employer: If you’re employed, you should also submit a letter from your employer (on company letterhead, if possible), verifying that you missed work. The letter should include your name, position, the days or hours you missed, your pay rate, and how many hours you work in each pay period.
Pain and suffering: Pain and suffering damages are a large part of your claim. The physical and emotional pain you experience, and its effect on your quality of life, can entitle you to substantial compensation. You must thoroughly document what you are experiencing to ensure you are fairly reimbursed for your pain and suffering. Consider keeping a daily journal where you describe the progression of your injury.
Speak with a Miami Car Accident Lawyer Today!
Whether you sustained an injury as a driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, injuries sustained in car accidents are compensable in a personal injury claim. After any type of motor vehicle accident, why not consider discussing your accident with a car accident attorney to learn more about your legal rights and obligations after an accident. Let the car accident attorneys at Suarez & Montero evaluate the circumstances of your case and provide you with an explanation of your legal options going forward. Our skillful attorneys are genuinely committed to our clients. Whatever the circumstances surrounding your injury claim, the team at Suarez & Montero has the experience necessary to ask the right questions and take the necessary actions to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve! Let us help you get the medical care you need and fight to make sure you are compensated for your injuries!
We serve clients throughout Florida including those in the following areas:
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