Liability in a personal injury claim or lawsuit that arises from a Tampa car accident is determined by the facts surrounding that crash. The facts are determined by the police accident report, the statements of any independent witnesses, photos of the vehicles involved, any video evidence of the crash, emergency room and other medical treatment records, and the opinions of the physicians on both sides of the case. Here are some of the most important documents that you must have to support your claim or lawsuit.
The Police Accident Report
Within a few days after being injured in a Tampa car accident, a copy of a police accident report will be made available to you at a nominal charge. That report is likely to contain considerable information like the following:
- The date, time and location of the crash.
- The identities of the drivers and any passengers along with their contact information.
- The insurance companies and policy numbers of the drivers involved.
- Whether any traffic citations were issued or any arrests were made.
- A narrative statement of how the accident occurred along with a diagram of how it occurred.
- Where the damage to the vehicles is located.
- The statements of the parties and witnesses.
Photos Documents After a Tampa Car Crash
Simple pictures of the accident scene, the vehicles involved in the crash and any visible signs of your injuries can speak thousands of words. If you have taken such photos, they can be invaluable. If we’re retained to represent you, we can search the area for any traffic or security camera footage of the crash that might be in existence.
Medical Records
If you file a personal injury lawsuit, Florida law requires you to disclose every medical provider involved in the care and treatment that you received. Full and complete medical records without any gaps in treatment will operate to verify that you were injured to the extent that you have alleged. Save each and every medical record that you might be in possession of. If we’re retained to represent you, we can obtain copies of the others.
Medical Bills
From the time that you’re transported to an emergency room by paramedics until you have reached maximum medical improvement, medical bills will be accruing. Save every medical bill that you receive along with any prescription and out-of-pocket receipts that you have. Your medical bills are critical to the amount of any compensation that you might receive. We can arrange to obtain copies of any of those bills in your possession.
Lost Time from Your Job
If the injuries that you suffered in your accident caused you to lose time from work, obtain written verification of your lost time and earnings from your employer. State law allows you to claim lost earnings from your employment as a result of an auto accident. We can submit that verification as part of your damages package.
Your Insurance
Notify your own car insurer that you were in an accident, and dig out your car insurance policy and declarations page. With Florida being a no-fault insurance state, some of your medical bills can probably be paid through your own auto insurance. If you have collision coverage, you can probably have repairs made to your car through that. You’ll want to have a copy of your health insurance coverage too. Copies of your bills can also be submitted to that insurer.
Our office is thorough. After being injured in a Tampa area auto accident, contact us as soon as possible to arrange for a free consultation and case review. If we’re retained to represent you, we can obtain copies of all necessary records, reports and the like, but we would still like to see what you have in your file. A case can turn in your favor on a single piece of paper.