Claims for personal injuries arise from a variety of different types of accidents. Whether it's a car accident, a slip-and-fall incident, or any injury caused by someone else's reckless or negligent behavior, a personal injury claim requires you to provide substantial evidence of your injuries and the at-fault party's liability.

To be successful in your PA personal injury claim, you must present significant evidence that the other party's negligence caused the accident and your injuries. Typically, personal injury cases with a significant amount of evidence can be resolved more quickly than those with very little proof. Or, what you initially believed to be a substantial amount of evidence turns out to be insufficient to support your case quickly and effectively. Even worse, the insurance company might argue that you contributed to the accident, requiring you to provide sufficient evidence to prove otherwise in your personal injury claim. 

The laws of Pennsylvania establish time limits, restrict the types of claims that can be filed, limit the amounts of money that can be awarded in particular cases, and restrict who can receive monetary compensation for injuries caused by another party.

 Before filing, there are specific steps to take and many considerations to consider. A PA personal injury lawyer can assist you in gathering the evidence essential to establishing that you sustained injuries due to another's negligence.

Should I Receive Medical Care After an Accident in PA?

Medical records are crucial to personal injury lawsuits. They are used as key pieces of evidence to establish your injuries and what medical treatment you received or will need in the future. After an accident, it is vital that you receive medical treatment to document your injuries.

Particularly in the case of accidents, severe injuries may occur. Sometimes these injuries are immediately apparent, while other times they manifest after days or even weeks. Even if your injuries appear to be minor, a doctor can determine if the situation is actually more serious. Their records will be admissible as evidence if you decide to file a lawsuit for personal injury.

What Details Should I Document Regarding My Accident and Injuries?

The first thing you need to do to successfully file a personal injury claim in Pennsylvania is to document everything. You have to be able to give specifics about how and when an injury happened, as well as who you talked to, what was said, etc. Getting the information that will be needed soon can be hard during this time for many people because they are in pain and shock from an injury. Unfortunately, people who have been seriously hurt in accidents like slip-and-falls, car accidents, and other incidents may not be able to document a large part of the scene. Anytime this happens, you or your personal injury lawyer will use the records that first responders, police, and bystanders keep, along with any later evidence that can be found.

Here is a short list of important things you should document if you can after an accident.

• Date, time, and place of the injury - Spending the time to record details such as the weather, any obstructions that may have contributed to the accident, any preexisting damage to vehicles, and many other factors can help your case immensely later on. No detail is insignificant.
  
  
• The types of injuries caused by the accident - A victim of an accident may feel responsible for what happened to them or that they could have done something to avoid it. You should never admit fault or say you could have avoided an accident, but it is crucial to record the incident's particulars nonetheless. For now, know that the fewer words you say, the stronger your case.
  
  
• Contact information and names of all responsible parties and witnesses - Keep track of anyone who assists you, communicates with you, or promises responsibility or authority over the situation. In other words, if you fall in a store and a manager asks about your injury, you need to write down the manager's contact information. Document the conversation as much as possible. It is amazing how often small things that happen right after an accident have a big impact on how things turn out in the end. If there were witnesses to your accident, do not forget to get their contact information.

A Pennsylvania personal injury attorney can help you collect the necessary evidence to prove that your injuries were caused by the negligence of another party.

What Medical Documents and Records Do I Need to Provide a Lawyer to File a Claim After an Accident in PA?

Medical records play a crucial role in personal injury claims. Bring only those medical records that pertain to the physical and emotional harm you suffered as a direct result of the accident; you do not need to bring your entire medical history. Documentation detailing your injuries and prognosis, such as an explanation of benefits or medical bills, should be brought with you. After the consultation, your personal injury lawyer may request further medical records from your healthcare providers.

If you have any of the following medical records, that would be very helpful:

• Records outlining medical conditions and their treatments
• Any bills from doctors and hospitals
• Bills from the physical therapist and/or chiropractor
• Detailed records of any upcoming medical care
• Identify the ambulance service and provide their contact information. (if applicable)
• Give the name and address of the first hospital where you were admitted.
• Dates of admission and discharge from the hospital.
• Current list of prescription medications

Remember that you should always speak with an attorney before signing any paperwork that gives your insurance company access to your medical records. Insurance companies will often thoroughly investigate a claimant's medical history in search of reasons to either completely or partially deny the claim.

If You've Been Injured in an Accident in Pennsylvania and Need Legal Representation, Brandon J. Broderick is Here to Help.

Accidents that result in injuries can occur without warning. Unexpected events can negatively affect your health and finances. The amount of compensation you should receive after an accident will depend on how you handle the case. You have the right to pursue compensation for your losses if someone else's negligence has caused you harm. We are here to assist you with insurance company negotiations so that you do not have to.

When filing a personal injury claim, accident victims are not required by law to have legal representation. However, working with seasoned personal injury attorneys can have a substantial positive impact on the outcome of your case. Why would you risk receiving unjust compensation? When you retain a personal injury lawyer from our firm, there are no up-front fees. We only collect payment for our services if we are successful in resolving your case. If we lose, you have no obligation to pay us.

Contact us for a free consultation to discuss the particulars of your case and find out how we can assist you in regaining control of your life.