Louisiana residents often underestimate the importance of immediate medical documentation after a car accident. Without a thorough accident medical record, it’s much harder to prove how your injuries happened and how bad they are. That’s why we tell people injured in Louisiana car accidents to seek immediate medical attention after a car accident and start documenting their injuries right away.
What Can Medical Documentation Show?
Your medical documentation provides a clear record of your injuries, proving they happened because of the crash and not a pre-existing condition. Without records of your medical treatment, insurance companies may argue that your injuries aren’t serious or that they happened after the accident. A doctor’s evaluation establishes the extent of your injuries, the treatment you need, and how long your recovery may take.
Detailed records also show how the accident has impacted your life. For example, notes from doctors, physical therapists, and specialists can document your pain levels, any mobility issues you have, and whether you need ongoing care. This evidence can be used to determine your compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Finally, it’s vital to include even minor injuries in your records, as symptoms can worsen over time. If you wait too long to seek care, insurers may use that delay to challenge your claim.
Types of Medical Documentation
Some types of medical documentation you can use to support your car accident claim include:
- Emergency Room Records – If you went to the ER after the crash, these records provide an immediate account of your car accident injuries. They include details about your symptoms, test results, and the initial treatment you received, which help establish a direct link between the collision and your condition.
- Doctor’s Notes and Diagnoses – Your primary care doctor or a specialist will document your injuries, recommended treatments, and expected recovery timeline. These notes help prove the severity of your condition.
- Hospital and Surgical Records – If you needed surgery after a crash or had an extended hospital stay, these documents show the seriousness of your injuries. These records can be crucial in cases involving broken bones, internal injuries, or traumatic brain injuries, as they detail the procedures you underwent and may note any potential long-term effects of your injuries.
- Physical Therapy Records – Many people injured in car accidents need physical therapy afterward to restore full strength and movement in their bodies. These records track your progress and any ongoing limitations you have due to the accident, which helps demonstrate the impact of your injuries on your mobility and daily life.
- Medical Bills and Receipts – Financial records of your treatment costs provide clear proof of your medical expenses and may indicate your future medical needs.
- Imaging Reports – X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans provide objective evidence of broken bones, soft-tissue injuries, or internal damage. These tests can confirm the extent of your injuries and help refute insurance disputes about their severity.
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer for Help Compiling Your Medical Documentation
Attorney Omar Thibeaux and the staff of The Thibeaux Firm can gather your medical records and other evidence to build a persuasive claim after a Louisiana car accident. Our firm only charges a 25 percent contingency fee in these cases, letting you keep more of the compensation we recover for you. Your initial consultation is free, so call now or complete our contact form to learn more.
