Why You Should Keep the Medical Records that Document Your Injury
Dealing with the aftermath of an accident can be overwhelming, especially for those who sustain serious injuries. Besides having to grapple with the pain of the injury itself, accident victims need to stay on top of their doctor’s appointments, all while contending with an overall disruption to their daily lives. While documenting all the aspects of their medical care may be the last thing on such a person’s mind, doing so is extremely important for those looking to file an injury claim.
Objective Evidence of Your Losses
In Georgia, accident victims can recover fair compensation for their injuries to help cover their medical bills, lost wages, and other losses. However, in order to receive these benefits, the injured party will need to present compelling evidence not only of the cause of his or her injury, but also the resulting damages. The latter is only one of the ways that medical documentation can play an important role in your case.
By keeping all relevant records of diagnosis, treatment, follow-up visits, and prescribed therapies and medications after an accident, claimants can significantly improve their chances of recovering the full amount of their losses. This evidence is objective, so it is much more convincing to insurers and courts alike. It clearly establishes the financial effects of an injury, including not only past medical expenses, but the future medical needs that an injured party will likely experience.
Connecting Your Injury to the Accident
Having detailed medical records of your injuries can also help create a clear connection between those injuries and a particular accident. Generally, insurers and judges alike look askance at claimants who fail to seek immediate care after an accident, but who then claim to have sustained serious injuries. By seeking medical care right away and keeping records of those documents, claimants can eliminate these concerns and prove that their injuries were the result of a defendant’s negligence.
The Accident’s Impact On Your Life
Besides ensuring that all of the aspects of a claimant’s injury are accounted for, medical records can also help paint a picture of the full impact of an accident on a victim’s life. From the first emergency room visit to the toll of ongoing treatments and therapy, medical documentation can add to the narrative of an injured party’s recovery. These details are very important in demonstrating the extent of an accident victim’s suffering and the impact of an injury on his or her day-to-day life and overall well-being.
Contact Our Atlanta Personal Injury Legal Team
Medical documentation is vital in personal injury lawsuits, serving as the foundation of a strong case. For help compiling the evidence you’ll need to improve your chances of filing a successful personal injury claim, please call the experienced Atlanta personal injury attorneys at Shiver Hamilton Campbell today. We can walk you through the legal process and help investigate the cause of your injuries. Call our office at 404-593-0020 or reach out to us via online message to get started on your case.
Sources
forbes.com/advisor/legal/personal-injury/personal-injury-lawsuit/
law.justia.com/codes/georgia/2020/title-51/chapter-12/article-1/section-51-12-4/
