Accidents occur every day and they can end up impacting your life for the long haul. Whether your injuries are from a car accident, a work-related incident, a slip and fall, or some other incident, filing a personal injury claim can help alleviate the financial burden that comes with recovering from the injury.
But it is not as simple as just putting in your claim and seeing your medical bills vanish. A personal injury claim is only as strong as the facts of the claim. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to make sure you do everything you can to help bolster your claim and make it as strong as possible.
If you suffered an injury due to someone else’s negligence, then you need to document everything and anything related to your accident and your injuries. Doing so will provide you with the necessary documentation and facts to strengthen your personal injury claim.
What to Do After an Accident in New Jersey
Seek Medical Attention: The first step in documenting your injuries is to seek medical attention immediately. Some injuries are much more severe than others and might require you to go to the ER or get medical attention onsite from an EMT.
If your injuries are not severe, it is still important to seek out medical attention as soon as possible.
Contact a medical professional and set up an appointment. Getting your condition and injuries assessed immediately will serve as a baseline for your condition as your case proceeds — and it could affect your ability to get compensated in a personal injury lawsuit.
Get Copies of Medical Reports: Be sure to get copies of diagnoses, reports, etc., related to your initial visit. This way, you can make copies later on without having to formally request medical records each time other parties need them.
Create a Medical File: Now that you have your first documentation, you should create a medical file and save everything from medical bills and insurance paperwork to hospital visit documentation. Having these on file provides a clear and concise timeline of your injuries and their progressions.
Document Your Injuries: Another important thing to document is your injuries. In order to do this, simply use a camera or your cellphone to take photos of the injuries. This should also be done immediately following your accident. It is important to timestamp the photos as proof of when they were taken.
Maintain a Diary: One last piece of documentation worth keeping is a diary of your injuries and their progression. Simply write down or type a document that keeps track of how you feel physically and how your injuries change over time. This will help your recovery and help your medical professional know exactly how you are feeling.
In addition to keeping track of the physical aspect of your injuries, you should also jot down how it affects you mentally and emotionally. Pain and suffering is something you can recover damages for, but it is sometimes difficult to prove. Keeping a written record of your mental state can help with this.
Contact an Experienced NJ Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Accident
A personal injury claim can make all the difference in getting you back on your feet from a financial standpoint. Sometimes, your injuries are simply too much, making it difficult for you to create the documentation you need. Regardless, you should seek the help of an experienced NJ personal injury lawyer.
At The Law Office of Vincent R. Glorisi, personal injury claims are our specialty. Contact us today to speak to a knowledgeable New Jersey personal injury attorney and begin discussing your claim.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.