In the aftermath of a serious car accident, you face not only physical recovery but also the challenge of proving your injuries to insurance companies. Insurance adjusters are focused on one thing: to save their company money by reducing your payout. They may question the seriousness of your injuries or suggest that the accident was your fault.
Without solid documentation, you might receive far less compensation than you deserve. Here are the most important ways you can document your injuries to protect your health and right to fair payment after an accident in Maryland.
Preserve all medical and financial paperwork
Think of your paperwork as the building blocks of your insurance claim. Each document tells a part of your story and proves the financial and physical impact of the accident. These may include:
- Hospital and doctor visit summaries, including results from X-rays, MRIs and other tests
- Receipts of prescribed medications
- Itemized medical bills
- Costs of traveling to medical appointments
Create a simple filing system, either digital or paper, where you store all these documents together. Date each item and organize them in time order to show the full timeline of your recovery journey.
Take photos and videos
Your smartphone can be a powerful tool for your claim. Start taking photos of your injuries as soon as possible after the accident. Make sure to capture all visible wounds, bruises, swelling, casts, braces or bandages. Take new pictures regularly to create a timeline that shows your healing process over days and weeks. Short videos are also valuable because they can show how an injury limits your ability to move or perform daily tasks.
Track missed work days
Missing work due to an injury directly impacts your finances and serves as a key part of your claim. Ask your employer for a written statement that shows your normal work schedule, hourly rate or salary, and all dates you missed due to your injuries. Save copies of reduced paychecks alongside your normal paychecks to show the financial impact of your accident.
You’ve documented the truth. Now what?
Insurance companies employ teams of adjusters and lawyers to use gaps in your documentation against you. Experienced lawyers understand these tactics. They can level the playing field, effectively organizing your documentation into a compelling narrative that insurance companies must take seriously.
