Navigating the legal world can be confusing and frustrating, especially if you are the wronged party. When it comes to making a personal injury claim against a business or individual, knowing how to prove your case can be the difference between compensation and denial. Whether your injuries and damages are caused by a car accident, slip and fall, medical malpractice, or other negligence, you deserve compensation to help cover accrued medical bills, lost wages, and repair costs if needed. If you are in the process of making a personal injury claim, here’s what you need to help your personal injury attorney in Deerfield Beach prove your claim and recover your dues.
Documentation is Key
Without proof of both your claimed damages and the responsibility of the defendant, you don’t have a case. Documentation will allow your personal injury lawyer to build your case before presenting it to an insurance company or before a judge. What do you need to document? Here are the basics:
Who, What, When, and Where: Give your legal team as much information as possible to build an accurate representation of the accident. If it was a car accident, include the exact location, the direction of travel, and specifics of what caused the collision. Did the responsible party drive through a red light or stop sign? Was there an improper lane change? Be sure to record these details. An accident report from a responding police officer helps to validate your claims, so be sure to get a copy.
Eyewitness and Surveillance Footage:Â If there are any witnesses who are willing to provide statements, get their contact information just in case their testimony is necessary. This may include other drivers who may be involved in an accident, if more than one vehicle was affected, drivers who may have stopped to provide assistance, or pedestrians who were near the scene of the accident.
More valuable than any witness statement is footage of the actual accident. Surveillance cameras are everywhere, especially in stores, hotels, or other places of business where a slip and fall may occur. Having the exact date and time can help locate potential cameras that may have valuable evidence. Your personal injury attorney in Deerfield Beach can help obtain legal access to such footage if possible.
Medical Records and Property Damage: Beyond proving your accident happened and your claim is against the right party, you need to be able to prove the damages for which you are seeking compensation. Property damage is not limited to your vehicle; if your phone was broken in a fall, or important business equipment was damaged in a car accident, you may be able to make include these in your claim.
Proving the cause and extent of your injuries is also important. In Florida, you have 14 days following an accident to seek care in order to make claim. Be sure to keep copies of all documentation showing your treatment and accrued costs. If your injuries necessitate continued care, a judge may be able to assess the anticipated costs and include them in your total reparations.
Still uncertain about proving your claim? A personal injury attorney in Deerfield Beach at Lieberman Injury Law can help! Contact us today for your free consultation.