A car crash can be a devastating occurrence, resulting in lifelong, debilitating injuries. Not only can car accident injuries take a physical toll on your life, but they can also have a severe financial impact. In the aftermath of a collision, it’s crucial to seek the medical attention you need — both for your health and to build any personal injury claim you might file. Medical documentation serves as critical evidence in a lawsuit and can play a key role in determining the extent of your injuries.
Medical documentation in a personal injury case can help accomplish the following when it comes to your claim:
1. Establish a Causal Connection Between the Accident and Your Injuries
It’s essential to seek prompt medical attention immediately following a car accident. In addition to protecting your health, seeking immediate medical treatment can help establish a timeline, demonstrate the seriousness of your injuries, and establish a causal connection between your injuries and the accident. In other words, it demonstrates that the injuries were the direct result of the car accident and not caused by another event.
2. Prove the Seriousness of Your Injuries
Your medical records provide documentation regarding the severity of the injuries you have suffered and are vital in connection with placing a value on your claim. Medical documentation can include imaging studies, operative reports, hospital discharge summaries, doctors’ assessments — and details regarding your treatment, diagnosis, and prognosis. This information can help to show the economic losses you suffered as a result of the car accident, as well as your pain and suffering.
3. Demonstrate the Ongoing Impact of Your Injuries
After a car accident, you must continue treatment until your doctor has determined you have reached maximum medical improvement — any gaps in treatment could potentially be used against you. Importantly, medical professionals can evaluate your injuries and document how they affect you physically, mentally, and emotionally. Your medical documentation will also demonstrate the ongoing impact of your injuries on your day-to-day life, livelihood, and relationship with your family and friends.
4. Show the Injuries Were Not Pre-Existing
The insurance company may try to argue that the injuries you claim to have suffered are not the result of the accident, but were pre-existing. In such cases, the defense would try to avoid liability by purporting that they cannot be blamed for your injury — or you are not entitled to the full amount of compensation you seek. Comprehensive medical documentation can help to counter these arguments by showing that the injuries were not pre-existing and arose due to the accident. Even if you did have a pre-existing injury, it may be relevant if it was exacerbated by the car crash at issue.
5. Give Your Claim Credibility
The foundation of every car accident lawsuit is medical documentation. By getting the medical attention you require, you are showing that there is a legitimate basis for your personal injury claim. Insurance adjusters and the court are also more likely to take your claim seriously. Having a well-documented claim with comprehensive medical records is paramount whether you are engaging in negotiations with the insurance company or proceeding to trial.
Contact an Experienced New York Personal Injury Attorney if you were injured in a car crash caused by someone else’s negligence, a skillful personal injury attorney can help ensure you receive the maximum compensation you deserve. The Dearie Law Firm, P.C. has represented car accident victims for over three decades and offers aggressive advocacy to secure the best possible results in each unique case. Contact us today for a consultation.