Keep These Records After Your Illinois Car Accident

 Posted on May 20,2019 in Personal Injury

Getting into a car accident can be unsettling and leave some people in a state of shock. Depending on the severity of the accident, you may have sustained minor injuries, like bruising or superficial cuts, or you may have experienced severe injuries, such as broken bones, brain injuries or injuries to your spinal cord.

While minor injuries can be annoying, severe injuries can stay with you for life and may even affect your ability to work. If you pursue a car accident negligence claim, there are certain things that you must prove in order to achieve a successful outcome. First, you must prove that the other driver was at fault for the accident and behaved in a negligent manner. Next, you must prove that the car accident resulted in your injuries.

In order to do this, you will need certain records and documents to make your case. Here are a few types of important documents that you will need to pursue a car accident negligence claim:

Police Report

First, you will want to make sure that you obtain a copy of the police report of the accident. The police report will contain valuable information about the accident, such as the officer’s opinion about what happened, contact information for the parties involved in the accident, witness statements and other crash information.

Photographs

If you can, you should take various photos of your vehicle and the damages it sustained from the accident. Be sure to include a photograph of your vehicle and your license plate and the other party’s vehicle and license plate. You should also take photos of the scene of the accident as a whole, as well as any factors that may have caused the accident, such as weather conditions, broken street lights or other factors.

Medical Records

If you are attempting to pursue an injury claim, you should also have documentation of your injuries. Your medical records will probably pile up, but you should keep them all. These records can include:

• Emergency service records, such as ambulance expenses and emergency room records;
• Lab work, orders for tests, imaging and reports for them all;
• Medical reports from your physician;
• Medication prescribed specifically for your injuries;
• Records from specialists, such as physical therapists or chiropractors; and
• Any and all receipts for medical expenses.

Employment Records

If you had lost wages because of your injury, you will also need documentation to prove this. You should have copies of the following on hand:

• A letter from your employer stating your absence from work;
• A letter from your physician describing why you were unable to work;
• Paycheck stubs;
• Direct deposit records;
• Tip records; and/or
• Tax returns.

Rely on a DuPage County Car Accident Lawyer

Car accidents can be scary experiences and the time after the accident can be extremely painful and emotional. Car accident injuries can be extensive and can even cause you to have to take time off of work and miss out on earnings. A skilled Lombard, IL car accident attorney can help you pursue a car accident injury claim. At the Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices, we can help you get the compensation you deserve. Call our office today at 630-932-9100 to schedule a free consultation.

Sources:

https://www.dmv.org/insurance/how-to-document-auto-accident-damage.php

https://www.dmv.org/insurance/tips-on-documenting-personal-injury-expenses.php

https://www.dmv.org/insurance/wage-loss-in-personal-injury-auto-accident-cases.php