In the blink of an eye, you went from driving your car on an Illinois road to taking an ambulance to the local hospital. It only took a matter of seconds for another driver to hit you and cause you to suffer injuries — injuries that have affected you physically, emotionally and financially. While the event was quick, getting relief following it can take time, more time than you would like. You can help yourself and your quest for compensation by keeping detailed records following the car accident.
What kind of records should you keep? How long should you keep them? What if your injuries prevent you from documenting anything for a while? All are good questions with simple answers.
Types of records
Following a car crash, you will want to keep records of all of your losses. These may include information about:
- Physical injuries
- Medical costs
- Psychological injuries
- Behavioral therapy costs
- Income/benefit losses
- Property damages
- Conversations
If you want to seek relief, you have a better chance of obtaining it if you can show insurance or the court how much you have actually lost as a result of your accident. It can also help you to have documentation of any conversations you’ve had with the responsible party, police, insurance, witnesses and medical providers.
Keep records for how long?
There is a statute of limitations on personal injury cases. This means you have so long to file a claim if you do not submit one right away. It is good to keep all records associated with your car accident at least until the statute of limitations has expired. However, there is no harm in keeping them longer should you need them for future reference. Legal counsel can provide information about the statute of limitations that apply to your case.
Unable to document right away?
If your injuries prevent you from documenting anything about the accident for a while, it is okay. Do it when you can. If you cannot remember a lot of the details, you can gather police and witness reports, along with your medical information, to help your case.
A car accident can be a traumatizing thing, particularly if you suffer injuries in the event. It can affect your life in many negative ways. If the incident was not your fault, you should not have to cover your losses on your own. With assistance, you can take the steps necessary to seek compensation for your injuries through out-of-court negotiations or litigation.