what documents is needed for a lawyer in a passanger car accident

by Prof. Myah Greenholt IV 6 min read

Some documents your attorney may require, include: Police Report In a car accident case, the police will file an official accident report.

Read on as we take a look at seven important documents that car accident lawyers will want to see.
  • Medical Records. ...
  • Police Report. ...
  • Witness Statements. ...
  • Photographs. ...
  • Insurance Details. ...
  • Pay Stubs. ...
  • Written Account.
Oct 8, 2020

Full Answer

What documents do I need after a car accident?

Jan 15, 2019 · As with medical records, you should provide your attorney with a copy of any psychological records or the names and addresses of your mental health providers and a signed release form. ____ Pay Records. If you've lost time from work as a result of a car accident, your attorney may be able to obtain compensation for your lost wages.

What records to gather after a car accident?

Sep 02, 2021 · Keep a record of all medical treatment that you receive as a result of the accident. Document any lost wages or other financial damages. File a claim with your driver’s insurance company, the at-fault driver’s insurer or your personal insurer. If the insurance company is resisting paying damages, you can hire an attorney and file a lawsuit.

Do I need a lawyer for a car accident claim?

Oct 11, 2019 · Some documents your attorney may require, include: Police Report. In a car accident case, the police will file an official accident report. This report will contain some valuable information about who was involved in the accident and …

How do I file a claim for a car accident claim?

Passengers in vehicle accidents should consider contacting a personal injury attorney with car accident expertise as soon as possible to ensure they receive the compensation they deserve. Compensable injuries include everything from whiplash, fractures and chronic headaches to back/neck injuries, diminished sensation and brain injuries.

What to do if you are in a car accident?

What to Do If You Are a Passenger in a Car Accident 1 Collect insurance information from the drivers involved. 2 Take pictures of the accident scene. 3 Get a copy of the police report. 4 Keep a record of all medical treatment that you receive as a result of the accident. 5 Document any lost wages or other financial damages. 6 File a claim with your driver’s insurance company, the at-fault driver’s insurer or your personal insurer. 7 If the insurance company is resisting paying damages, you can hire an attorney and file a lawsuit.

What if I don't drive?

If you don’t drive, you don’t necessarily need to depend on other people’s insurance to keep you safe. Getting your own health insurance will protect you any time you need medical care, and under the Affordable Care Act, there are many new options for insurance, including low-cost coverage for people with modest incomes. You can learn more at healthcare.gov. If you do have your own auto policy, look into adding PIP or MedPay coverage, which will protect you even when you’re in someone else’s car.

What is primary car insurance?

Insurance That Covers Passengers in a Car Accident. In every state, drivers are required to carry liability car insurance to cover any harm to third parties when they are at fault – or “liable” – for the damage. But sometimes another form of car insurance will provide “primary” coverage no matter who is at fault for the accident.

What to do if you have severe injuries?

But if you are able to, get names, phone numbers, and insurance information from each of the drivers at the scene of the accident, and ask the police officer for the accident report number. These will be useful to you later when you file a claim.

What happens if someone else drives your car?

If someone else is driving your car and gets in an accident, your car insurance will likely cover any resulting damage, which means the claim will go on your insurance record and could affect your rates. On the other hand, if your car is taken without permission or the driver is not licensed, the driver is responsible.

How to get medical attention for a car accident?

2) Get all insurance information from the drivers involved and attempt to record any witness accounts. 3) Get accident report information from the officer on the scene. 4) Consider contacting a personal injury attorney.

What happens when you file a claim with your driver's insurance?

In a technical sense, when you file a claim with the at-fault driver’s liability insurance policy, you are threatening them with a lawsuit. That person caused your injuries, and he or she is responsible to compensate you for your harm. Under normal circumstances the driver’s insurance company will compensate you for your injuries. However there are circumstances where either the insurance company will resist paying for your damages, or where there isn’t a clear policy that covers your damages.

Why is it important to keep medical bills?

These bills itemize the losses you’ve sustained as a result of the accident. Keep all prescription receipts, hospital bills, and bills from other medical providers so that you can provide these to your attorney.

Why do attorneys want to see medical records?

Your attorney will want to see copies of your medical records to see the extent of your injuries and what type of treatment you have received. Detailed medical records are crucial to establishing an effective case for compensation.

What happens if you miss work because of a car accident?

If you’ve missed time from work as a result of the injuries you sustained in a car accident, then you may be entitled to compensation for any lost wages. Pay stubs and other wage records will be needed to establish the amount you have lost.

Why is it important to take pictures of an accident scene?

Taking photos of an accident scene can be important to show the extent of any injuries or property damage and may help in establishing who was at fault for the accident. Make sure you submit any photographs that were taken by you or other people, to your attorney.

What are punitive damages?

Punitive damages are intended to punish those who act recklessly and without regard for another person's safety. Although not legally awarded to help injured passengers pay for medical bills, punitive damages can be used in a discretionary manner by those awarded such damages. Punitive damage amounts vary widely and are based on the court's opinion regarding the recklessness of the at-fault driver.

What happens if you are a passenger in a moving vehicle?

If you are a passenger in or on any moving vehicle, it makes no difference who is faulted for the accident. Passengers have the right to seek compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering and even lost wages from all other drivers. If another driver caused the accident, passengers riding in the non-fault vehicle can recover damages through "stranger liability", or the liability of the other driver. Assuming the other, at-fault driver has full-coverage on his vehicle, injured passengers generally have little difficulty receiving compensation with the assistance of a personal injury lawyer.

Do passengers have the same rights as the driver?

Most passengers involved in vehicle accidents don't realize they have the same legal rights as the driver. Even when passengers are injured in an accident due to their driver's negligence, passengers suffering physical or emotional injuries that require medical attention can still file a personal injury claim and obtain the compensation they need and deserve.

Do you need a release form for a car accident?

It is required to seek psychiatric or psychological care right after being involved in a car crash. The lawyer will need a copy of the treatment records and a release form from your mental health providers.

Do you need to provide copies of medical records for car accidents?

It is common in car accidents for the victims to sustain physical injuries, and of which, you will seek for medical care and attention. You need to provide copies of the medical records, including the diagnosis and the recovery time you sustained from the injuries.

Can you ask for a copy of an accident report?

Some witnesses may provide statements to the police for the accident report. But, representatives from the insurance company may also ask a statement from you . If this happens, you have the right to request a copy of the statement you gave .

What is a retainer agreement?

A retainer agreement is the document used to hire and engage a lawyer’s services for representation in your car accident. This sample is being provided so that you may be able to review and understand what terms may be found in a retainer agreement with a personal injury lawyer.

What is Wallace Pierce Law?

At Wallace Pierce Law, we strive to empower our clients by educating them on the complexities of the legal system, and with regards to their own unique case. We’re pleased to offer accident documents and forms for anyone to download and use at their own disposal. Because the documents can be technical, our Durham lawyers are also available to help clients file their personal injury claims.

What is the best way to strengthen your position after a car accident?

The best way to strengthen your position on these issues is to have documentation that supports every assertion you ...

What is a diary in a car accident?

While not technically a record to gather, another form of documentary evidence that will come in handy in your car accident case is a diary or journal in which you write down all relevant information related to your accident and your injuries, with a detailed focus on ways in which the accident is impacting your ...

How to get a copy of a police report?

To get a copy of the police report related to your car accident, you'll need to contact the law enforcement agency that came to the scene, and give them the following information: 1 the date and location of the accident (i.e. intersection, or approximate street address with closest cross streets) 2 the names of the drivers involved, and/or 3 the name (and badge number) of the officer who came to the scene and prepared the report.

What is an emergency medical service?

emergency medical services -- usually an ambulance or paramedic company run by the local municipality (town, city, or county), but sometimes the provider may be a private company. emergency room treatment. hospital admission (including treating physician's records) treatment provided by your primary doctor. pharmacy prescriptions.

What to do if you missed work due to a car accident?

If you missed any time at work due to your car accident, you will likely be able to recover any corresponding lost income, but you'll need to show detailed proof of your claimed losses.

What is an accident report?

1. Police Report. If a police officer came to the scene of your accident, he or she most likely prepared a police report (sometimes called an "incident report" or "accident report") either on-scene or shortly afterward. This report likely includes information that will become crucial in any insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit -- ...

What happens if your car is damaged in an accident?

If your vehicle was damaged in the accident, as part of any insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit, you're probably entitled to have any necessary repairs paid for. But in order to figure out how much to ask for, you'll need to know how much repairs will cost, and in some cases, the actual cash value of your car just before ...