If you have been involved in a St. Louis car accident, it is important to understand the importance of keeping all bills and receipts related to your accident.
A car accident can turn your life upside down in many ways, from affecting your health and physical integrity to changing how you carry your day-by-day activities. These changes are temporary for some victims, while others have to carry these consequences for the rest of their life.
Reflecting on what you can suffer from in an accident that could have hidden, delayed, or complicated consequences should make you very cautious on what you start acknowledging, documenting, and preserving your accident.
Documents You Should Keep
The most important documents that you should keep from the time of your accident are medical bills, the police report from the scene of the accident, car repairs, payslips from before the accident, taxi receipts (if your injuries or car damage prevent you from driving your own car).
Basically, any bill and receipt that shows what costs you have to pay because of your accident should be kept in your file. All these documents will serve as hard evidence to support your case when you go to trial or negotiate a settlement with the other driver’s insurance company or your own insurer.
Other Evidence You Should Keep
Besides documents emitted by a public or private institution, there are other types of evidence that you should preserve. Photographs from the accident scene, even if blurry or seemingly irrelevant, should not be deleted. You never know what detail you’ve missed.
A journal of your health progress, mental state, the evolution of the car accident claim can serve as evidence supporting your claims. When communicating with the insurance company, your St. Louis auto accident attorney, or doctor, keep a log of all communication.
Especially when it comes to the insurance company, write down all the times you have called and briefly describe how they responded. Intentional delays or miscommunication are more common than you may realize.
Do You Need a Car Accident Attorney?
Collecting and managing evidence is crucial in getting the full amount of compensation you deserve. The best you can do is organize all the evidence as neatly as possible (in chronological order) to make virtual copies of each of them and use them as a base for your story and claim.
Additionally, it is highly recommended that you work with an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney. They can manage the evidence and support you every step of the way, getting you the compensation you are legally entitled to and will need to cover your losses. That way, you can focus on your health while they handle the legal aspects of your case.
Free Consultation with a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer
Don’t talk to an insurance claims adjuster before speaking with The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. We can help you avoid making statements that may affect the outcome of your case. The consultation is free; you don’t pay unless we get you money!
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