Why Medical Documentation Is Critical for Your Car Accident Claim

If you’ve been in a car accident, you already know that it can happen anywhere and at any time. And when it does, one of the first things that comes to your mind is, "Am I physically fine?" But even if you feel okay at the moment, injuries aren't always apparent. 

You might discover whiplash, internal bleeding, muscle injuries, or more, hours or days after the accident. That's why getting medical attention right away after the accident is extremely important. On one hand, it'll protect your physical health. 

On the other hand, having proper medical documentation can strengthen your car accident claim if you want compensation from the other party. If you want to know how exactly it can help your case, keep reading this blog!

How Fast Action After the Accident Protects Your Right to Compensation

When you’re in an accident and don’t see any immediate injuries, you might think, “Let’s move on, nothing serious has happened.” But the fact is, sometimes you might feel okay right after the crash because of the adrenaline rush. 

Some injuries, like whiplash, internal bleeding, or soft-tissue damage, can stay hidden for hours or even days. By the time you discover these injuries and think about filing a claim with the help of an Elk Grove auto accident lawyer, you might realize - 

• You don’t have the proper medical documents, or 
• The other party has the grounds to argue that your injuries came from something else. 

This can make your case harder to prove, and you may lose the compensation you deserve. So, although in California you usually have two years to file a personal injury claim, if you wait too long, it can hurt your case. That’s why it’s so important to see a doctor right away and start building your medical records as soon as possible. 

You may still be able to file a claim even if you believe you were partly responsible for the accident. In many cases, you will get the compensation you deserve based on how much blame you share in causing the accident (if your fault is 30% and the other party's fault is 70%, you can recover 70% of your damage). But the earlier you act, the stronger your case will be. 

Why Having Medical Records is Important For Your Car Accident Claim

Here’s how having medical documents for your case can help you.

• Proving the Extent of Your Injuries

If you document your injuries properly using bills and receipts, your lawyer can show the extent and cause of your injuries due to the accident. And this way, you can have a better chance to prove your case and get a fair amount of compensation even if the opposite party tries to deny blame or give you less than what you deserve. 

• Helping Your Lawyer Negotiate Faster & Build a Strong Case

When your lawyer has everything organized, like your medical bills, test reports, and so on, they can respond quickly to insurance questions and push for faster and fair settlement. Plus, if the case goes to court, they can use these documents as evidence to strengthen your case.

• Supporting Claims for Costs

Bills, prescriptions, therapy receipts, and travel costs to appointments prove what you’ve spent because of the injuries. This helps your lawyer recover both past and future medical expenses.

• Proving Hidden, Delayed & Mental Injuries

Records from doctors, imaging tests, and specialists document injuries that aren’t visible right away, like concussions, whiplash, internal bleeding, mental trauma, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder, so they can’t be dismissed later. 

• Proving Long-Term Effects

If you need ongoing care, your medical documents show that your injuries will keep affecting the quality of your life and result in lost income. This can increase your settlement for future costs and pain and suffering.

So, one of the first things that you need to do after the accident is call 911, get the medical help you need, and then keep the medical documents safe!

Get the Compensation You Deserve After a Car Accident! Call Us Now!

What Medical Documents Do You Need to Have For Your Car Accident Claim?

You need to make sure that you’ve gathered the following medical documents when you’re pursuing compensation for your car accident injuries. The more documentation you have, the stronger and clearer your claim will be.

• Emergency care records: Emergency care reports from the day of the crash.
• Doctor’s notes and test results: Diagnoses, imaging scans, lab tests, and follow-up visits.
• Prescriptions and therapy receipts: Medications, physical therapy, mental health counseling, or rehabilitation costs.
• Hospital and specialist bills: Invoices from hospitals, clinics, or specialists you’ve seen.
• Travel or mileage logs: Proof of transportation costs to medical appointments.
• Work restrictions or disability slips: Notes showing time off work or limited duties due to injuries.

Common Questions You Might Have 

• What happens if I lose some of my medical records after a car accident?

Your Elk Grove car accident lawyer can help request copies from hospitals, clinics, or insurance providers. You can also try to keep digital and paper copies to avoid situations like this.

• Do I have to share my medical records with the at-fault driver’s insurance?

No, you need to share records relevant to your accident injuries only. Your attorney can help limit what’s disclosed to protect your privacy.

• Do mental health visits count as medical documentation?

Absolutely. Counseling, therapy, and psychiatric notes show the emotional impact of the crash and can be used to claim non-economic damages like suffering and mental pain.

Contact Our Trusted Elk Grove Auto Accident Lawyer For Legal Advice

Takeaway

After a car accident, one of the most important things to do right away is to get medical help, even if your injuries seem minor. By doing so, you can keep your health in check and also make sure you have proper medical records as evidence if you need to file a case against the opposite party involved in the accident. 

To file a case, you can take help from a trusted Elk Grove auto accident attorney. They'll know what to do and can guide you with reliable legal advice!

Take Help From Our Experienced Car Accident Lawyers at Doyle & O'Donnell

For over 30 years, at Doyle & O'Donnell, our reputable lawyers have been providing legal advice to clients involved in car accident cases! With 4.8 Google ratings and hundreds of happy clients, you can trust us to help you win your case quickly and efficiently. 

Plus, you won't have to worry about paying us until we win your case! When you rely on an Elk Grove auto accident lawyer, you'll get a partner who listens to your problem and takes the right legal step to protect your rights. 

We won't keep you in the dark at any point in time during the case! So, if you need legal help, call us now at 916-866-7590