
<p>In 2020, more than <a href="https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/all-injuries/overview/">55 million people</a> sought medical help for preventable injuries. These injuries weren’t from COVID-19, but from driving, or working on home projects.</p>



<p>If you sustained an injury recently, you might be able to file a lawsuit to recover costs and damages.</p>



<p>How do you know if you have a personal injury case? You need to have a personal injury case checklist because it’s not always easy to tell if you have a case or not.</p>



<p>You have to convince an attorney that you can win a settlement or trial. That means you have to have the documentation to back your claim.</p>



<p>It can be an intimidating process, but it doesn’t have to be. Read on and follow the checklist below to win your personal injury case.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Proving Negligence</strong></h2>



<p>Personal injury law is a part of civil law. It’s also known as tort law. This is the section of the law that protects people because of someone else’s action or inaction.</p>



<p>The first item on your checklist is to see if you do have a personal injury case. There are dozens of types of personal injury cases, from dog bites to medical malpractice.</p>



<p>Auto accidents, product issues, and failure to perform job duties can cause accidents, too. At the center of a personal injury case is negligence.</p>



<p>There are four elements of negligence that determine if you have a case or not. Here’s what they are:</p>



<p><strong>Duty to Care</strong>: the person at fault had a duty to you. An example is a driver that had a legal duty to drive under the speed limit but didn’t. ; ;</p>



<p><strong>Breach of Duty</strong>: The person didn’t perform that duty.</p>



<p><strong>Causation</strong>: The breach of duty directly caused your injuries.</p>



<p><strong>Damages</strong>: This is the monetary value of your injuries. This includes time off work, medical bills, and mental suffering.</p>



<p>If you can show all four elements, you have a personal injury case.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Statute of Limitations</strong></h2>



<p>The statute of limitations is the deadline to file a personal injury case after the accident. This varies by the type of personal injury claim and the state where the accident happened.</p>



<p>The statute of limitations is two years in most states.</p>



<p>Keep in mind that you can’t procrastinate to pursue your case. The longer you wait, the harder it is to connect your injuries with the accident.</p>



<p>You also have to give your attorney enough time to review your case before filing documentation for it.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Photos of the Scene</strong></h2>



<p>The actions you take immediately following an accident are the most important. There are a lot of details that you have to collect to prove your case.</p>



<p>These details get lost or forgotten as time goes by. Photographs of the scene immediately following an incident capture the conditions that led up to the incident.</p>



<p>If you’re injured and can’t collect the information, don’t panic. There are other ways to get the information you need.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Police or Medical Reports</strong></h2>



<p>You might be tempted not to contact the police after a minor auto accident. You don’t want to report the incident to insurance and have your premiums increase.</p>



<p>That’s a real fear, but giving into that fear can hurt you.</p>



<p>Your injuries can appear days after the accident and you don’t have any proof the accident caused your injuries.</p>



<p>Contact the police and let them take a report. The report contains road conditions, witnesses, and what happened. You should visit the doctor shortly afterward to document your health after the accident.</p>



<p>What do you do in a slip and fall case? You could call the police, but your priority is to seek immediate medical attention.</p>



<p>The medical report will demonstrate the fall caused your injury. The police report details the conditions that caused your fall.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Financial Documentation</strong></h2>



<p>Earlier, you learned that damages are financial compensation for a personal injury. How does someone arrive at the figure for damages?</p>



<p>It’s a combination of things, such as mental and physical pain and suffering along with the actual amount of money lost.</p>



<p>Keep every bill and receipt spent on your injuries. Medical bills, pharmacy receipts, and transportation costs to appointments should be kept.</p>



<p>If you had to take time off of work, bring paystubs and correspondence between you and your employer.</p>



<p>What do you do if you’re self-employed? Client correspondence that shows disruption to your operations, invoices, and tax returns are enough to document how much money was lost due to the accident.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Injury Journal</strong></h2>



<p>Another way to support your case is to keep a journal of your injuries. You can give attorneys and a judge a look into your daily life after the accident.</p>



<p>An injury journal shows how you feel day-to-day and how the injury impacted your life. Be sure to document everything from your sleep to stress levels as a result of the accident.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Personal Injury Attorney</strong></h2>



<p>A good personal injury attorney will fight for your rights and help you win a settlement. They’ll help you determine if you have a case or if you need more documentation.</p>



<p>They’ll work with insurance companies to make sure that you have a fair and just settlement.</p>



<p>Finding the right attorney can be tough because there are so many attorneys out there. Find one that specializes in personal injury cases and has a winning track record.</p>



<p>Find <a href="https://croninlawfirm.com/practice-areas/">more info here</a> for an example of a law firm with experience in personal injury law.</p>



<p>It helps to interview several attorneys before settling on the one to represent you.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>The Ultimate Personal Injury Case Checklist</strong></h2>



<p>Personal injury law is broad and confusing for most people. Even if you sustained injuries because of someone else, you still have to legally prove it.</p>



<p>This personal injury case checklist gives you everything you need to win your case. Follow the list and you’ll have a solid personal injury case.</p>



<p>Be sure to check out the other articles on the blog for more legal tips and insights.</p>

Do I Even Have a Case? A Must-Have Personal Injury Case Checklist
