After an accident, getting immediate, proper medical treatment by professionals should be everyone’s first priority. But after being treated and stabilized, what steps should be taken next? The attorneys at Clay, Massey & Associates, P.C., have helped thousands of victims receive the compensation they deserve, but our strongest cases have had the most supporting evidence.
Find Witnesses
Witnesses can be a big help in a personal injury lawsuit, so try to track down anyone who saw something. If you’re in a lot of pain, ask a friend or bystander to take down the names and contact information for anyone who saw the incident. Your personal injury lawyer can then follow up with potential witnesses to check if they have helpful information.
You are also an important witness to the events that occurred, so sit down as soon as possible and write out a detailed narrative about what occurred. Go into as much detail as possible while your memory is fresh, and sign and date the narrative when you finish.
Take Pictures
A picture is worth a thousand words. And unlike witnesses, pictures don’t get confused on the witness stand. At Clay, Massey & Associates, our personal investigators will return to the scene of the accident and photograph the conditions so that you can focus on healing.
You should also take pictures of your injuries while they are still new. By the time you go to trial, cuts will have healed and bruises will have disappeared. Ask a friend or family member to take pictures of your wounds from many different angles and distances. Remember not to smile in the pictures!
Hold onto Paperwork
Lawsuits require a lot of documents, and you should begin saving everything related to your case. Buy a big envelope and stuff everything into it—copies of medical records, medical bills, prescriptions, etc. Once you’re feeling better, you can organize everything so that it is easier to understand.
If your injury has kept you from working, also document how much you make each pay period. For example, find copies of your pay stubs or W-2 form. If you are self-employed, gather your most recent profit and loss statement, which your personal injury lawyer will want to see.
Document Your Pain
Accident victims in Alabama can receive compensation for pain and suffering. It’s hard to prove, but you can help your case by keeping a detailed pain journal and sharing it with your personal injury lawyer. Each day, write down where you feel pain and how intense it is. Also, note how the pain has impacted your life:
- Are you able to sleep?
- Has the pain made it harder to move or go to the bathroom?
- Have your eating habits changed because of the pain?
- Are you depressed?
Write in your pain journal every day and be as detailed as possible.
Call a Mobile, Alabama Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Get the compensation you deserve by calling a qualified Alabama personal injury lawyer without delay. Clay, Massey & Associates, P.C., has years of experience helping thousands of personal injury victims develop the strongest case possible, so give us a call at 251-433-1000 or fill out our online contact form.