HOW MUCH SHOULD I TELL MY DOCTOR?
Make sure your collision is recorded as the source of your complaints. Give accurate details. Do not understate or overstate your ailments. It is important for your doctor to know how you feel so they can properly treat you. If you plan to see any additional doctors, please advise us before you see them and give us their names and addresses. Be clear about where you hurt as your doctor will be writing it all down. If you are not satisfied with your doctor, you may change physicians, but talk to your attorney first.
WHAT SHOULD I DO ABOUT MY MEDICAL BILLS?
In many cases, the insurance company for the person who caused your injuries will not be willing to pay medical bills or lost wages until your case has been settled. This is often a way for them to pressure you into settling too soon. However, you may have other alternatives available. Also, personal medical insurance should be considered as a resource for paying these bills.
Have your own insurance carrier pay as many hospital and doctor bills as possible and if you can pay any remaining balances do so. Doctors and hospitals are much more cooperative when their bills are paid. You should not expect them to wait until your case is tried or settled to receive payment so, don’t be afraid to submit these bills to “your own” insurance. They will usually have a right to be repaid from the at-fault insurance company.
Obtain and keep duplicate copies of your medical and prescription bills and periodically send copies to us for our files. In addition, keep records for any other expenses you may have in connection with your accident such as hiring extra help, mileage to and from your doctor or therapist, babysitting so you can go to your appointments, wage loss, and anything else you can think of. Make sure you keep a receipt for anything you pay which is related to your claim.
WHAT SHOULD I DO ABOUT PROPERTY DAMAGE?
If your automobile or other personal property has been damaged, have it photographed and examined by an expert if necessary to put a value on the damage. If your case involves a product or instrument not in your possession, please try to see that it is not repaired or disposed of until we have photographed it and had it examined by an expert, if necessary.
DO YOU NEED TO KNOW MY WITNESSES?
Absolutely. Please furnish us with the correct names, addresses, and telephone numbers of any and all witnesses you learn of. They can include fellow workers and people who see you every day. If someone is planning to leave the area permanently, please call so we can take a statement from that person, if necessary.
WHAT KIND OF EVIDENCE DO I NEED TO PROVE MY CASE?
If you or anyone you know has taken any photographs connected with your case such as your vehicle, severe lacerations, stitches, or other serious injury, please give us the negative and prints. If you have a disfiguring or severely disabling injury, or if you are required to take any unusual treatment like traction or brace, notify us so we can advise you if photographs should be taken. If in doubt, take some pictures. If your injury requires a cast, brace, or any other appliance, save it for evidence at a trial. Tell us that you have these items so we can advise you on proper storage. We may want to keep them at our office. We can’t stress enough how important it is to save any physical evidence related to your case and to discuss that evidence with us.
If you have been unable to work as a result of your accident, we will need payroll records or a statement from your employer stating what your wage was and how much work you have lost due to your accident.
In certain situations, your attorney may employ the services of an investigator to photograph an accident scene or interview witnesses.
