If you have been injured in an accident that was someone else’s fault, you may be eligible to pursue a personal injury claim against whoever was responsible for your injuries and related losses. Here are some things to keep in mind as you begin to organize your personal injury case.



Do You Even Have a Personal Injury Claim?



You may have a personal injury claim if you suffered an injury due to the negligent, reckless, or intentional acts of another person or entity. In certain cases, another party may have a legal responsibility to you in a personal injury case regardless of their intent or recklessness. You can see some of the types of personal injury cases we take, here.



To read more about personal injury claims, visit the American Bar Association website.



Putting the Incident on Paper



It can be very helpful to write out a statement describing your memories of the accident or event that caused your injuries as soon as possible after the accident.



Your memories of your accident or incident will fade over time. If you try to describe what happened much later, it can leave an opening for the other side to challenge your recollection. However, having a contemporaneous account of your accident or incident that caused your injuries can be much stronger evidence and can allow you to refresh your memory later on.



In addition, following the accident you should keep a journal of your injuries and the effect they have on your life, including;





the kinds of pain you experience


how your injuries impact your ability to work


participate in activities, or perform daily tasks




This documentation can later help you to assert a claim for damages for pain and suffering and loss of quality of life.



Gathering Evidence



Moreover, you should also start collecting documentary and physical evidence related to your personal injury, or accident.



Physical Evidence





If you still have the clothing worn during the incident, keep it (or at least take pictures of it)


Any damaged items associated with the incident




Medical Records & Reports, W2s, and Statements



In your personal injury claim, you may be entitled to compensation for your economic damages, such as costs of medical treatment and lost wages for time missed from work during your recovery. Be sure to keep copies of your medical records, which will document your injuries and the course of your treatment. They may also layout your prognosis and future treatment requirements.



You should keep copies of your W2s or income statements to calculate your lost wages, or your lost earning potential if you cannot return to work.



Any statements you receive from your insurance or the other party’s insurance are vital.



You should also have copies of the official police report and any witness or victim statements associated with your personal injury.



Audio Recordings of 911 Calls, Calls to Employers, Calls to Doctors



Recordings of 911 calls, calls to your employer, and calls to medical providers can also serve as important contemporary evidence of what happened in your accident or incident and of the injuries you suffered.



What an Attorney Does for You While Preparing Your Personal Injury Case



When you hire an attorney to represent you in your personal injury case, they will get to work on several tasks to prepare your claim:





Investigating your claim, including recovering evidence, identifying responsible parties, and determining sources of financial compensation available to you


Contacting and interviewing witnesses


Working with experts to develop your legal case


Helping you to obtain medical treatment for your injuries


Negotiating with responsible parties and insurance companies for a fair and full settlement


Filing your case in court, if necessary




If you have suffered an injury due to someone else’s wrongdoing, contact the Alabama personal injury attorneys at Stokes Stemle, LLC today to schedule a free case evaluation. We are ready to discuss your legal rights and how our firm can help you prepare and organize your personal injury case.





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