Unfortunately, not all personal injury cases with merit are successful in court. To win a civil court case, convincing evidence needs to be presented to a jury. However, sometimes that evidence was not properly documented. If you have been injured and are pursuing a personal injury claim, you need to take the proper steps to document your injury. Here are some tips that can help.
1. Create Photographic Evidence
When you are injured, you need to produce photographic evidence. Take photos of the injuries as soon as possible. Also take photos of scene of the accident and anything else that could prove how you were injured. After a serious injury, this may not be the first thing on your mind. However, take out your phone and start snapping photos regardless.
2. Obtain Witness Testimonies
If you were injured in public, try to get names and phone numbers of people that witnessed the injury at the scene. Their testimony can certainly help prove your case. Without it, it may be your word against the other side. Also try to obtain testimonies from others that have experienced the pain and hardships associated with your disability.
3. Obtain Doctor’s Records
After a debilitating injury, you should seek medical attention immediately. You also need to make sure to obtain records from your doctors documenting the injury thoroughly. You should also continue to collect records and notes as treatment proceeds. If you don’t see a doctor and then try to launch a personal injury suit later, you will have a far harder time making your case in court. Make sure you have plenty of medical evidence to back up your claims.
4. Keep a Medical Journal
You also need to go beyond simply proving your injury took place. You also need to document your struggles with your injury and disability afterwards to give the jury a good idea of what you have to live through on a daily basis. Start a medical journal after your injury and write in it each day about your pain, the struggles you face, and how you are coping with your disabilities.
5. Keep to Yourself
The opposing side may hire a private investigator to get information on your injury to see if you are underplaying its effects. Before your case, be careful what you say to people and be aware of what you put on social media. A picture of yourself smiling or at the beach may be used as evidence that your injury is not causing you very much pain and suffering and that you do not need or deserve as much compensation as you say you do.
Overall, you need the advice of a seasoned personal injury firm like Trammell & Mills Law Firm LLC to present an effective case in court. After your injury, get in touch with an attorney and begin supplying him and her with the kind of documentation and evidence that lawyer will need to pursue a personal injury claim.
This article was written by Dixie Somers, a freelance writer who loves to write for business, finance, and family issues. She lives in Arizona with her husband and three beautiful daughters. You can find Dixie on Facebook.
