Documents You Should Present to Your Personal Injury Attorney After a Car Accident

As a car accident victim, you may be entitled to compensation for both tangible and intangible losses. These awards are known as economic and noneconomic damages. To begin the process, you must file a personal injury lawsuit in your district court. A series of events will follow, culminating in settlement negotiations with the at-fault party and their insurance company. If this fails, the case proceeds to court to be decided upon by a judge.

Filing a personal injury lawsuit without a lawyer is never a good idea. There are documents, deadlines, negotiations, legal doctrines, and regulations to consider. You may still be recovering, with physical or emotional pain to deal with, as well as doctor’s appointments to attend. Put all these factors together, and you’ll see that things can get overwhelming quickly. This is why you need a car accident lawyer. They will file the case on your behalf and deal with all the complex details. However, you must provide them with enough evidence to get started. This blog will outline the documents that you should present to your personal injury attorney when filing a car accident lawsuit.

Medical Documentation

Without evidence of physical injury, it’s difficult to prove a case. The court first needs you to demonstrate evidence of bodily harm before you are eligible for additional compensation. Keep detailed records related to the injuries you sustained in the crash, including lab tests, x-rays, prescriptions, and doctor’s appointment notes.

Police Reports and Records

Law enforcement officers at the scene will create a police report. This document will describe how the accident transpired, who was involved, and their contact details. Sometimes, it may even contain the officer’s assessment of fault based on their analysis.

Tickets or Citations Related to the Accident

Tickets and citations are issued to drivers who break traffic laws. If anyone involved was driving while drunk, distracted, over the speed limit, or essentially breaking any traffic laws, the police may have issued a ticket or citation. Provide your lawyer with these documents, even if they indicate partial fault on your part. Texas uses the modified comparative negligence rule. You’re still eligible for compensation when you share the blame for the crash. However, your award will be reduced based on your share of fault, as long as it does not exceed 51%.

Copies or Photos of Your Insurance Policy

Every state has minimum liability insurance requirements for drivers. For example, in Texas, it’s $30,000 in bodily injuries per person, $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 in property damage liability. Provide your lawyer with copies of your insurance policy so they understand what is covered and to what extent.

Evidence of Premium Payments

The insurance adjuster may argue that you were not covered or that your insurance had lapsed. Use statements of payment to the company to dispute these claims. Options include bank statements as well as any other financial document to show evidence of payment.

Information Exchanged at the Accident Scene

Good practice dictates that you stay calm in the aftermath of the crash. Avoid assigning blame to the other driver. Politely ask for their contact and insurance details, then give your lawyer this information.

Paycheck Records

An injury often forces you to take a break from work to get treated and recover. If you fail to earn a living during this period, you may qualify for lost wages. Give your attorney the pay stubs for this time to use as evidence. If you suffer a permanent disability, rendering you unable to work, provide your lawyer with your tax records to pursue loss of earning potential.

Conclusion

Evidence is the cornerstone of all personal injury lawsuits. The more robust the proof you submit, the higher your chances of winning. Make sure to give your lawyer all documents related to your claim. Whether it’s police reports, medical documentation, insurance records, or paycheck information, they’re all relevant to your case.