When you've suffered from an injury then you will want the responsible party to pay for damages, be brought to justice and be stopped if you fear that the neglect or criminal behavior will continue. Personal injury law encompasses medical malpractice, product liability, negligence, nursing home abuse, dog bites, and all sorts of accidents involving ships, pedestrians, and planes. So the first thing you want to do is hire an attorney who practices in the specific area that you are looking for representation in. For example, The King Personal Injury Law Firm in Southern California offers an array of services for clients who have been injured by defective products, at work, or in accidents involving a motor vehicle.
Once you've found an attorney who can represent you for the specifc area of need, it's time to gather evidence. The most effective types of evidence are:
Medical records
Photographs
Witness statements
Police reports
Character reference from an employer
Driving and employment records
Medical Records
If you haven't seen a doctor for your injuries, then go now. The longer you delay, the more you risk not receiving compensation. If you had any surgeries or care, then you will want to present the medical bills for those to calculate damages. Your attorney may also recommend having your physician write a letter explaining how the injuries were caused by the accident, and if they suggest any long-term care, such as physical therapy, that you will need for years.
Photographs
Not only do you want to take pictures of injuries at the accident, but you want to continue taking pictures of physical injuries as they worsen or heal. Remember that in any car accident you always want to get pictures of the damage from many angles, and include the license plate numbers in the images.
Witness Statements
If anyone witnessed the accident then the police may have spoken to them and recorded their observations on the police report. These people can be valuable in helping your case. Any time you are in an accident you want to ask witnesses for their name, phone number, email address and address so you can provide that to your attorney.
Police Reports
If you did not leave the scene of the accident with a copy of the report then you will need to contact the local police department's records office to request a copy. This report will include the date, time, and location of the accident, as well as the narrative from both you and the other driver regarding what happened. Witnesses will also be documented. The insurance company and your attorney will need this document in order to proceed with your case, so be sure to get it immediately.
Character Statements And Letters
You might be asking a few key people for letters and statements on your behalf. If you have a great driving record, then you will want documentation of that to help your case in court. The same goes for character references from your employer, and a track record of your attendance or successes at the company can be used as evidence. If you are still working and your employer has noticed a change in your abilities since the accident, they can note that. Your doctor can also write a letter explaining the long-term treatment you will need.
