Car Accidents and Lawyers to Reduce Stress

Posted on: 28 April 2020

Compensation for an auto accident should be a straightforward affair, but that is not always the case. You have to jump through multiple hoops to get your hands on the compensation check. For example, you will need the following documents to handle your claim.

Police Report

The police or incident report contains facts of the accident. The typical information you will find on the report include:

• Date, time, and location of the accident
• The identities and contacts of the parties involved in the accident
• The identity (name and badge number) of the officers who generated the report 
• Preliminary determination of liability

The police report can help in many ways. For example, the police report will help you identify the other driver. The identification is useful if an accident causes you serious injuries and an ambulance whisks you away to an emergency room before you can take the contacts of the other driver.

Medical Records

Your medical records are probably the most crucial documents you need for your auto accident claim. Below is some of the information the records contain.

• The nature and extent of your injuries
• The treatments you have had and need
• Your recovery timeline
• Whether you have a permanent disability
• Drug prescriptions

All this information can help you in various ways. You might come across a defendant who claims that your injuries were pre-existing. In such a case, you can use your medical records to differentiate the pre-existing injuries from the latest injuries.

Income Statements

In addition to medical damages, loss of income or earning capacity also forms a great percentage of personal injury damages. Again, the best way to prove these damages is to present relevant documents. Some of the specific documents that can help are:

• Pay stubs
• Tax returns
• Ongoing contracts
• Financial statements for your business

Proving a loss of income or earning capacity is easier for employed persons than self-employed persons. However, an auto accident lawyer can help you gather the relevant documents irrespective of your employment status.

Repair Estimates, Receipts, or Valuation Reports 

Lastly, you also need documents to prove your property damages.

• Repair estimates from different auto mechanics
• Receipts from the mechanic who repaired your car
• Valuation estimates from different parties (in case the insurance company writes off your car)

The more documents you can gather for the proof, the stronger your claim will be. An auto accident lawyer can help you identify and gather all the documents you need. For more information, contact an attorney at a firm like Buckley  Law Office.