Documenting Details of Your Injuries and Pain
The time following a traumatic event that resulted in injuries can be stressful and physically draining. Often, injured victims do not understand how to document the details surrounding their accidents or what evidence is required to prove the extent of their injuries and pain.
At the Law Offices of Francisco G. Medina, we understand the importance of documenting every aspect of an injury to ensure that our clients are properly and fairly compensated for their damages and losses. Our personal injury attorney in Houston, Texas, can help you collect sufficient proof that justifies the compensation you are seeking. We serve Houston and throughout the surrounding areas in Texas, including Galveston, Montgomery County, and Fort Bend County.
The Importance of Documenting Injuries and Pain
If you have been injured in an accident, you need to understand that your chances of securing compensation depend on the strength of your claim and the availability of evidence that supports your case. It is vital to act quickly and begin building your case for two reasons:
The evidence could be lost or destroyed. If you do not gather all the critical pieces of evidence in your case within hours or days following the accident, it could go missing or be intentionally destroyed by the negligent party or the insurance company.
There is a time limit to recover damages. Every state, including Texas, imposes a time limit for filing claims for compensation. The time limit is known as the statute of limitations. In Texas, injured individuals have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit against the defendant.
At the Law Offices of Francisco G. Medina, we handle each case we take with the urgency and attention it deserves. Our attorney is ready to help you through every step of the legal process to ensure that you receive the maximum compensation to which you are entitled.
How to Properly Document Your Injuries and Pain After an Accident
Documenting your injuries and pain after an accident is a five-step process:
Take pictures of your injuries. It is important to carefully photograph your injuries both at the scene of the accident as soon as you acquire them and throughout your recovery. Having photographs can help prove the severity of your injury to prevent the insurance company from trying to deny or undervalue your claim. When taking pictures, make sure that you carefully store them in a secure location and take note of the date when each picture is taken.
Gather statements from witnesses. Witness statements play a pivotal role in personal injury cases. If someone saw how you got injured, their account of events can help you strengthen your claim for compensation. While witnesses who saw what happened at the scene of the accident can help prove fault and establish the link between the accident and your injuries, statements from your family members, colleagues, friends, and other individuals in your post-accident life can help prove the effects of your injuries on your life.
Seek immediate medical attention. Your first priority after an accident should be to focus on your health. Even if you do not think that your injuries are serious, it is never a good idea to delay medical care. Often, symptoms may not appear days or even weeks after the accident. If you do not go to a hospital immediately after the accident and your injury manifests itself over time, you will have a hard time proving that the injury was the result of that accident. In the absence of detailed and prompt medical documentation, the insurance company will likely deny your claim or offer to settle for less than what your claim is worth.
Keep your medical records in order. After seeking medical attention, it is critical to follow the doctor’s advice and organize your medical files. Keeping your medical records in order can help in your efforts to pursue maximum compensation. Being organized can help you prove the seriousness of your injury and justify the value of your personal injury claim. Understandably, you may not know where to start. For this reason, you might want to seek legal counsel from an experienced attorney. At the Law Offices of Francisco G. Medina, we help each client we represent stay organized and ensure that all the paperwork is filled out accurately.
Maintain a journal of your injuries and pain. Many people underestimate the importance of keeping a journal in which they can record their thoughts and detail the ongoing and consistent difficulties and impairments they face throughout their journey. Having a journal can provide a timeline of your symptoms and keep track of changes in your condition. In fact, maintaining a journal is one of the most effective ways to document the pain, emotional distress, and mental issues that you may be experiencing while recovering. Memories may fade over time while your written accounts can provide the documentation needed when calculating how much your claim is worth.
At the Law Offices of Francisco G. Medina, we help clients take all the steps necessary to document their injuries and pain and ensure a successful claim. We can provide you with the legal representation you need so you can focus on getting well again.
Compassionate Legal Advice
Documenting the details surrounding your injuries and pain is one of the most important steps you can take on your road to recovery. Our attorney at the Law Offices of Francisco G. Medina understands the unparalleled role of evidence in personal injury cases and helps clients collect all the evidence available to build a strong case and improve their chances of recovering maximum compensation. Get in touch now to request a free phone consultation.