What Kind of Documentation Do I Need to Provide to Support My Case?

For your personal injury claim to succeed, you need strong evidence to prove liability and the extent of your damages. If you are making a personal injury claim in Texas, proper documentation matters. Properly gathering and organizing supporting documents strengthens your case and streamlines the legal process. Knowing which documents to provide and how they support your claim can significantly impact the outcome. Missing or incomplete documents can weaken your case and delay your settlement or trial.

Looking for a personal injury lawyer near you in Houston, TX?

We’ll fight for the compensation you deserve.

Send Us a Message Call us

At Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP, our experienced attorneys help clients in navigating the complexities of personal injury cases. We understand the nuances of Texas law and know how to present evidence in a way that maximizes your recovery.This guide is a summary of the necessary documents needed to sustain your case and enhance your chances of receiving rightful compensation.

Making a Personal Injury Claim

When filing a personal injury claim, certain documentation is essential to prove liability, confirm the extent of harm, and outline the financial impact of the damages.Below is an express summary of persuasive documents:

Police Report

A police report is a significant document with an official and impartial account of the accident. A police report provides an objective account of the accident and can be crucial in proving liability.

Key aspects of a police report are:

Witness Testimony: The authorities obtain firsthand evidence from witnesses and participants, which is extremely valuable information in the sense of the chain of events that caused the accident. Testimony from impartial witnesses can be extremely powerful in disputed cases.

Accident Scene Diagram: This sketch may show vehicle position, traffic signals, road conditions, and other elements that caused the accident. A well-detailed diagram helps to describe the events that occurred before and after the accident.

Initial Finding of Fault: While not perfect, the fault finding of the responding officer can be quite compelling in the insurance settlement and litigation process. The initial finding can carry a lot of weight when the insurer is deciding whether to approve the claim and issue offers.

Weather and Environmental Conditions: Details of light, road surface, and weather conditions at the time of the accident can also enhance your claim, particularly where external factors were involved in the accident.

Police reports provide factual summaries in personal injury cases and often impact settlement negotiations and court hearings. Obtaining a copy of the report as soon as it is available is essential to strengthening your case. In addition, reviewing the report for inaccuracies and requesting changes, if need be, can ensure that the document is precise in reporting the facts of the accident.

Medical Records

Medical records are critical to proving the extent and cause of your injuries. From emergency room visits to long-term treatment plans, these records document what care you require after the accident. They also show your recovery timeline and the expenses you’ve incurred.

According to HealthIT, electronic health records are particularly useful because they compile everything about a patient’s care in one place—medical history, test results, and diagnoses. Include medical imaging (such as X-rays or MRIs), prescriptions, and treatment summaries to show how your injuries affect your daily life.

Photographs

Photographic evidence is one of the most compelling forms of proof in personal injury cases, offering indisputable visual documentation of the accident and its consequences. Important aspects of photographing are:

• Damage to your vehicle or property: Display dents, broken glass, deployed airbags, or other physical damage caused by the collision.
• The accident scene: Document road conditions, skid marks, debris, traffic signals, weather conditions, or any hazards that contributed to the accident.
• Visible injuries: Take clear images of bruises, cuts, swelling, or any other injuries sustained due to the incident. 

For comprehensive documentation, capture images from different angles and distances. Wide shots provide context, while close-ups highlight specific details. These pictures are undeniable evidence, making it more difficult for the opposing party to dispute your claim. A strong set of photos can significantly influence the outcome of settlement negotiations or court proceedings.

Witness Statements

Eyewitness testimony can be pivotal in a personal injury claim, providing an independent, unbiased account of the accident. If liability is contested, a witness statement can provide insight regarding what happened before, during, and after the accident, making it very beneficial to the claim process.

Say you get rear-ended (by someone speeding or unable to stop in time) while waiting at a red light. There may be a witness who saw the other driver speeding and/or failing to stop in time who will testify to add credence to what you’re claiming. Likewise, if you were struck by a distracted driver and you saw the driver texting, a bystander’s observation of the behavior can serve to establish negligence.

For witness testimony to have the most impact, gather the names and contact information of anyone who witnessed the accident.. If witnesses are cooperative, request a written or recorded statement from them as soon as possible while their memory is still fresh. Witness statements will be used in negotiations with insurance companies or in court to help support your claim, so they are a vital part of your case.

Insurance Information

In personal injury claims, collecting all pertinent insurance data is an imperative aspect of achieving a seamless claims process and increasing compensation. Insurance policies clarify available coverage and serve as the foundation for negotiating settlements. Be sure to include the following:

Your own insurance policies

Auto insurance, including personal injury protection (PIP) or uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, can help cover damages after an accident. Health insurance may also assist with medical expenses related to your injuries, reducing out-of-pocket costs. Additionally, any other policies, such as disability insurance, could provide financial support depending on the circumstances of your case.

The at-fault party’s insurance details

The at-fault driver’s liability coverage from their auto insurance policy, which is typically exchanged at the accident scene, could be a primary source of compensation. If the accident involved a company vehicle, business, or commercial insurance coverage, it may also apply to your claim. In some cases, such as premises liability accidents, the responsible party’s homeowners or renters insurance may also provide coverage.

Insurance Claims and Correspondence

Maintain thorough records of every piece of paperwork regarding the insurance process so you are protecting your rights and bolstering your claim. If disputes arise, an experienced personal injury attorney can assist you through these negotiations to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Documentation of Lost Wages

Serious injuries typically have not only physical damage but also economic costs. If your injuries prevented you from working, it is essential to keep track of your lost wages to support your claim. Such records are used to demonstrate the real impact of your accident. Some of the essential documents include:

• Pay stubs from the week before and the week after the accident.
• When your employer provides you with hours that you missed.
• Self-employment income records.

Maintaining a clear record of your lost earnings will help show how the accident has affected you financially. If your injuries prevent you from being able to return to that position, this can also be used to calculate your future loss of earnings.

Accident Diagram

An accident diagram is a visual representation that reconstructs an accident scene, allowing you to visualize important details. Whether it is a motor vehicle accident, industrial accident, or slip-and-fall accident, a well-drawn diagram can delineate significant factors that contributed to the accident. If it is a motor vehicle accident, a diagram can explain the position of vehicles before, during, and after the collision. It can also detect key details like road signs, traffic lights, speed limits, crosswalks, and any obstructions that contributed to the accident. If the accident occurred at an intersection, the sketch can indicate which vehicle had the right of way, and the fault is a simpler matter to assess.

In case of slip-and-fall accidents, a drawing can specify the exact danger spot, i.e., the place where the pavement was slippery, an uneven sidewalk, or areas with poor lighting. Focusing on specific features such as stairs, broken pavement, or the absence of warning signs would strengthen a claim by demonstrating the environmental hazards that led to the accident. Insurance adjusters and legal teams utilize accident diagrams as a method to gain further insight into the facts of your case. A concise visual description of the accident will assist in substantiating your claim and increase the chances of a positive judgment.

How Strong Documentation Strengthens Your Claim

In short, thorough documentation not only strengthens your personal injury claim but also prepares you to meet the opposing side head-on. For instance:

• Determining Fault: Records such as the police report or witness statements show how the accident happened and who is at fault.
• Measuring Damages: Records such as medical records and pay stubs show the financial and physical impact of the incident on your life.
• Demonstrating Consistency: A well-organized evidence collection builds credibility by painting a clear and consistent picture of the accident.

Get Help Strengthening Your Personal Injury Claim

Start building your case today. Contact Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP for a free consultation at 832-402-6637 and get the justice and compensation you deserve.

C.J. Baker

C.J. Baker represents victims with serious injuries and he won’t let any corporation or insurance company stop his clients from getting complete justice. He has won millions of dollars for victims of 18-wheeler crashes, oilfield equipment failures, offshore platform explosions, and defective medical devices. Our lawyers have 25+ years of combined experience.

Get in touch with C.J. Baker now.