Evidence
How does your personal injury attorney prove your personal injury?
You may be wondering what a personal injury attorney will need from you to help prove your case,
and if there is something you should be doing to build the best possible case. From the moment
of your personal injury, there are many things you can do to make sure that evidence exists to
support your personal injury lawsuit.
Your personal injury attorney will interview you to determine every healthcare provider you have
consulted or treated with as a result of your claimed injuries. The important of medical and/or
psychiatric treatment cannot be over-emphasized. Without medical treatment, the only evidence
as to your personal injury is your own testimony. Judges and juries find doctors more credible
than personal injury plaintiffs as to the nature and extent of claimed injuries.
One of the first things a personal injury attorney does after an initial client interview is
request and review all potentially relevant medical records. Your personal injury attorney may
refer you to a doctor or specialist if you are not treating so you can start documenting your
injuries. If you have copies of any medical records, offer to bring them with you to your first
meeting with a personal injury attorney.
Your medical records will include doctor’s notes, diagnostic test results, evidence of treatment
ordered such as surgical procedures, prescriptions, physical therapy, etc. The records will also
contain information about whether you follow doctor’s orders, so be sure to comply with every
aspect of your treatment.