After an accident, you may be overwhelmed with paperwork. This can include documents such as medical bills, police reports, insurance claims, and other expenses that relate to the injury. Your personal injury attorney will need certain documentation to help prove your case. The at-fault party's insurance company will not pay a claim without evidence that backs up the nature of the accident, the injury, and the property damage that resulted from the accident. Basic documents are needed to help support your claim, whether it was an accident on the job, a motor vehicle accident, or a slip and fall. It is important to note that New York also has a statute of limitations. This law limits the time you have to file a personal injury lawsuit. In New York, that is three years from the accident date. There is a lot to know and a lot to keep track of when preparing your personal injury case. Plan for success by consulting with an expert right away. Contact a New York City personal injury attorney at Hach & Rose to make sure you get the compensation you deserve.
Getting Organized After an Injury
Clients come to Hach & Rose, LLP in varying stages of organization with their documentation. Whether you come with all your documents or just some, during your free consultation, we will review the facts of your case and let you know what else would be needed to help support your claim.
By using simple strategies to stay organized, you will have all the documents you need at your fingertips. Consider getting an expandable file folder to store your documents. Label each tab with the document type, and you will have them accessible when needed.
Documents You May Need to Support Your Claim
Not every case needs every document; not all documents are listed here. This general list may be required if you file a claim or a lawsuit after an accident. For example, after a worker's compensation accident or slip and fall at a place of business, your attorney may ask for additional documents. Your personal injury attorney will find it helpful to have a written paragraph about the accident's basic information. This includes the:- Date
- Place
- Type of accident
- A brief overview of your injuries
- Names of the people involved
- Names of the witnesses
Medical Diagnosis and Treatment Bills
You must keep every bill from every medical provider that you see. These bills should also be kept in date order. Depending on the severity of your injury, the bills and records can quickly expand. Consider keeping a log sheet at the front of the folder to access the record you're looking for quickly. This folder or section of your expandable file folder includes bills and records from therapists, physicians, hospitals, psychologists, ambulance services, and any other bill related to your physical or mental injury from the date of the accident to the present day. You’ll also want to keep documents about accident-related dental treatment, prescription medication, medical devices, or imaging studies. One form of compensation after an accident caused by someone else covers medical expenses. The amount you can expect is primarily based on the total medical bills related to the accident that you can document.Lost Income and Wage Verification
Ask your employer for a letter documenting lost wages resulting from your accident injury. Also, keep a copy of your pay stubs and any other verification of your inability to work, including medical records detailing why you cannot return to work after the injury. Copies of your W-2 forms or the last year's taxes may help prove income loss.Police Report and Witness Statements
Police reports are public records. You can request a report online or by sending two copies of the form in a self-addressed stamped envelope from the New York Police Department or the New York State Police, whichever law enforcement agency attended your accident.
Law enforcement might not have attended to your accident if it was a slip and fall or an injury on the job. Your employer might have gathered witness statements if you were injured at work. If it was a car accident, the police might have gathered witness statements. It is important to gather these documents for your injury attorney.