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Can You Prove It? Medical Records And Your Personal Injury Case

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Most people have no idea how important their medical records are when they get injured in a car wreck. To pursue the at-fault driver you must use everything at your disposal, and your records are an amazingly important component of proof. Trying to get adequate compensation without them will lead to a disappointing result, so read on to learn about the role medical records play in the amount of your compensation and how to obtain them.

How much is your medical treatment costing?

In almost all cases, medical care is extremely expensive, and even a minor wreck can produce astronomical medical costs. If you add in a surgery and physical therapy, your bills can approach more than $100,000 without even trying hard. Of course, you may not be worried about how much your medical care is costing. After all, victims are entitled to receive the best of care to get them back, or as close to possible, to their pre-accident state of health. In most cases, the at-fault driver is paying for the cost of your medical care, and that is as it should be. But what people fail to grasp is that the dollar amount of your medical care will probably turn out to be an important number to your personal injury case.

The pain and suffering calculation

The amount of your medical bill is used to figure out how much you can get paid for your pain and suffering. It seems only logical: the higher your medical cost the worse your injuries and the more you are entitled to get for your pain and suffering. To make sure that you get what you deserve, be sure to:

1. Seek medical attention for your car accident injuries and keep a careful record of all treatments. It's a good idea to begin keeping a notebook that lists your hospital stays and other medical treatments and tests.

2. Keep up with all associated costs as well. Note the mileage you travel for appointments, to the pharmacy and for diagnostic tests in your notebook. You can not only be reimbursed for mileage, but any time you need take a taxi or public transportation.

Obtaining your medical records

You (and the auto injury law firm you're working with, through proxy) have a right to access copies of your medical records, so use your notes to assist in contacting all providers. These records are substantive proof of your medical treatment, and each and every medical-related incident will go into your pain and suffering computation.

Talk to a personal injury attorney to learn more about the importance of medical care and what you are entitled to get for your pain and suffering.


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