What Medical Evidence Is Used in Car Accident Lawsuits?
If you've been injured in a car accident, you'll generally need to prove two main elements to win a lawsuit for damages: that the accident was someone else's fault, and that you were injured. Evidence of your physical injuries, as well as the financial costs of medical care and lost wages, will often be the most important details of your case. So what medical evidence will you need for your car accident case?
Here's a look:
The Evidence
Documentation of injuries following a car accident will take many forms, and can be generated almost immediately after the accident:
- Photos: Pictures of your injuries, or the accident itself;
- Eyewitness Accounts: People who saw or were involved in the accident may be able to testify to your injuries;
- Police Reports: Official accounts of the aftermath of the accident, including observations of officers and emergency response personnel;
- Medical Records: Any documentation of hospital visits, physician diagnoses, medical tests or procedures, and even pharmaceutical prescriptions; and
- Expert Testimony: You may need a physician or medical expert to testify at trial in order to explain all of the medical evidence to the jury.
Knowing what medical evidence you'll need will assist help you figure out how you'll need to get it.
The Process
Gathering evidence of your injuries can be among the most important first steps you can take in a personal injury case. Obviously you should first ensure that everyone involved, including yourself, is safe and receives any necessary medical attention. Then, to the extent possible, you should ensure that the accident and your injuries are documented:
- Document the incident with personal notes, pictures, and interviews;
- Research the police reports, medical records, and billing statements; and
- Give your personal injury lawyer as much of this information as possible.
An experienced personal injury attorney is in the best position to advise you on what medical evidence you'll need after a car accident and assess your case. Contact one today.
Related Resources:
- Find Personal Injury Lawyers in Your Area (FindLaw's Lawyer Directory)
- Documents to Show your Attorney after a Motor Vehicle Accident (FindLaw's Learn About the Law)
- Are Car Accident Police Reports Admissible in Court? (FindLaw's Injured)
- Legal How-To: Proving an Injury (FindLaw's Injured)