How do car accident victims pursue a personal injury lawsuit if they are unconscious, or in shock and whisked to the hospital? Since they are not on the scene, the injured are unable to tell the police their version of events right away. They also can’t talk to the other drivers involved. In these situations, the hospitalized driver must rely on the information gathered from his or her insurance company, law enforcement, and witness testimony. Here are some recommendations from a Philadelphia car accident lawyer for how the injured can gather evidence to support compensation needs after their treatment.
- Get Copies of All Accident Reports
An accident victim can get copies of all police reports as well as the names of the officers that were on the scene. Hopefully, the injured driver was able to convey his or her version of events to law enforcement during or after treatment at the hospital, and the officer included it accurately in the official report. If the reporting officer’s signature is illegible, the spelling should be verified through the police department.
If the plaintiff needs additional information about the other driver/s involved, an accident interrogatory could be helpful. An accident interrogatory is a list of questions from the plaintiff that the defendant must answer under oath and complete within 30 days. The defendant could be subject to perjury charges if intentionally false testimony is given.
- Document Medical Treatment, Pain and Suffering
During treatment, accident victims should keep a written or digital record of every medical appointment they attend and include the name of the doctor, the type of treatment and the cost. Once treatment is completed, victims should get a complete copy of their medical records to substantiate their individual documentation.
Besides the physical pain, plaintiffs should also discuss how their injuries affect their daily ability to function, their mental health and their relationships. If recovery has also been impacted by an inability to work, the victim should get W2s, pay stubs and bank account statements to verify the loss of income. Plaintiffs should also consider how their injuries might cause problems in the future and include those concerns in their testimony, as a car accident lawyer in Philadelphia, PA can explain.
As a car accident lawyer from Daniel E. Stuart, P.C. would likely advise, car accident victims must be proactive by following these personal record-keeping tips.
