Accidents have the ability to change your perspective on life. Even if you’re lucky enough to get away unharmed, the psychological impact may haunt you. Then there’s the probability of disability or losing a loved one. All these are scenarios that will topple your life.
Denver is a city prone to accidents. In 2019, the city had a record-high number of traffic fatalities – 71. The numbers from 2021 are worse. Denver recorded 84 traffic fatalities in 2021, beating its previous record of 71. There is a need to bring these numbers down. People need to be aware of the best safety practices and what they need to do after an accident.
Victims who have been harmed due to someone else’s negligence or malicious thoughts should get in touch with a Denver personal injury law firm. The experienced personal injury lawyers there will do what is required to bring the perpetrators to justice.
One thing that every individual must do after an accident is call 911. Contacting the authorities has two benefits. First, you can receive immediate medical assistance. Second, you receive official confirmation of the accident, allowing you to press charges against the liable party or parties.
The medical assistance part of the previous statement is important. Visiting a hospital or a healthcare provider comes with a wide range of benefits. They are
- Treat injuries
- Diagnose injuries that might otherwise be hidden.
- Receive advice on how to recover.
- Get updated medical records.
The fourth benefit plays a vital role when seeking compensation, either from the defendant or the insurance company.
Role of Medical Records in Compensation Calculation
Few pieces of evidence in a personal injury claim are as important as medical records. One area where medical records play an important role is establishing the seriousness of injuries.
Once you visit a hospital or a healthcare provider, you receive expert advice on how to treat your wounds. Advice aside, healthcare professionals also prescribe medicines and give recommendations on the steps you need to take to recover.
The information in medical records is valuable when it comes to determining how serious your injuries are. Compensation for severe injuries like fractures, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries falls on the higher end. So, it’s best to run the recommended tests and check for all related health conditions.
Role of Medical Records in Proving Lost Income
The injuries you may suffer in an accident depend on how serious the accident was. Minor accidents like fender benders don’t cause too much damage. Major accidents like T-bone accidents and falling from heights tend to cause injuries or health conditions that may immobilize you or require extended periods of bed rest.
You will miss work in instances like this. Medical bills piling up without a source of income is a bad situation to be in.
Medical records and doctor’s statements help prove that your injuries are bad enough to warrant bed rest. These documents can be submitted as evidence when proving lost income in a personal injury case.
Role of Medical Records in Proving Non-Economic Damages
In addition to economic damages, you may suffer non-economic damages as well. Non-economic damages mainly include pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment, emotional trauma, and loss of consortium.
Physiotherapist recommendations, written testimonials from experienced mental health professionals, and medical prescriptions help prove your disturbed state of mind and the treatment you’re undergoing to get back to normalcy.
Final Thoughts
Medical records are an important piece of evidence in a personal injury claim. They contribute to proving the seriousness of your injuries, give an estimate of how much you spent to treat them, and prove that your injuries were severe enough to cause you to miss work. An experienced personal injury attorney will take advantage of medical records to get you fair compensation for your injuries.
