At the David W. Martin Law Group, our South Carolina personal injury lawyers know that seemingly countless details are essential for pursuing a successful accident and injury claim.
When filing a personal injury claim in South Carolina, gathering and preserving the proper evidence and documentation is crucial to support your case. If your injuries keep you from collecting any of the following details, we can help.
Here, we discuss some evidence and documentation you may need to start the process.
What Documentation and Evidence Do I Need to Pursue a Personal Injury Claim in South Carolina?
No matter what type of negligence led to your personal injuries, whether a vehicle collision or premises liability incident (link to new practice area page), some of the following details may apply to your case and will help build a robust claim to submit to the at-fault party’s insurance company.
- Police Reports
If law enforcement responded to the traffic crash scene, obtain a copy of the law enforcement crash report. This can provide essential details about the accident, including who was involved and any citations issued.
If the accident occurred on someone else’s property, such as a slip and fall at a store, request an incident or accident report from the property owner or manager.
- Insurance Information
Gather information about the insurance policies involved, including the at-fault party’s liability insurance. This may include vehicle insurance or property insurance. This will be important for potential claims and coverage.
- Photographs and Videos
Take pictures or videos of the accident scene, hazards or dangerous conditions, injuries, and property damage. Visual evidence can be very compelling in personal injury cases.
If possible, preserve any physical evidence of the accident, like damaged equipment or clothing worn during the incident.
- Witness Statements
Collect contact information from witnesses to the accident or incident. Statements from eyewitnesses can help corroborate your version of events.
- Medical Records
Before we can prove you were injured because of another person or party’s negligence, you must seek medical care. Once you have, obtain copies of all medical records related to your injury. This includes hospital records, doctor’s notes, test results, and bills for medical treatment. If you used your healthcare coverage while seeking treatment, keep track of those costs. These documents establish the extent of your injuries, medical treatment, and the costs associated with your overall care.
- Personal Injury Journal
Keeping a journal documenting your injuries, pain levels, medical appointments, and how the injury has affected your daily life can help demonstrate the impact of the damage.
- Employment Records
If your injury has resulted in lost wages or income, gather employment records, pay stubs, and any other documentation that shows your earnings and the time you’ve missed from work.
- Property Damage Estimates
If your personal property was damaged in the accident, obtain repair estimates or appraisals to show the cost of repairs or replacement.
- Communications
Save copies of any written or electronic communications related to the accident or injury. This includes emails, text messages, and letters from the at-fault motorist, witnesses, property owners or operators, or insurance representatives.
How Can a South Carolina Personal Injury Lawyer Help with My Claim?
At David W. Martin Law Group, our skilled personal injury attorneys in South Carolina start by helping our clients understand whether their accident and injury case qualifies for legal intervention.
This means we will evaluate your case during a free consultation and will immediately let you know if your claim is eligible to move forward.
When we take a qualifying personal injury case, we add our expertise to the claim by:
- Routing all insurance company communication through our law firm so you will not have to speak with a representative without our guidance.
- Partnering with expert medical professionals, accident reconstruction specialists, or other professionals to provide testimony to support your claim.
- Compiling all evidence, witness statements, accident details, medical records, and damage estimates before submitting a complete claim to the at-fault party’s insurer.
- Negotiate a fair settlement for your claim based on the accident and injury facts.
- Pursue a lawsuit against the insurance company if they refuse to provide the settlement you deserve.
Contact Our Dedicated South Carolina Personal Injury Attorneys Today
If you or someone you love was injured or lost their life because of another person, party, or entity’s negligence, call 803-548-2468 or contact us online to learn more about your legal rights and options to pursue the best outcome for your unique case by partnering with our dedicated South Carolina personal injury attorneys at the David W. Martin Law Group today.
