The Vital Link: Your Medical Records And Your Personal Injury Case

When you've been hurt by another vehicle, you may be entitled to several forms of money damages. While you might be tempted to put your claim on the back burner, you must take action in a timely manner if you are to be paid the compensation you deserve. Most people feel confused about what is meant by money damages, particularly the one known as pain and suffering. Read on to find out why pain and suffering is directly linked with your medical treatment expenses.

Know What Your Damages Are

Most car accidents involve several common forms of damage. Most accident victims can be compensated for:

• Medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Lost wages
• Lost or damaged property
• Loss of consortium

Clear Proof of Your Injuries

You are entitled to a number of various forms of money damages, but the form of money damages that puzzle many accident victims is pain and suffering. You know you have certainly suffered and have been in pain, but how does one get paid for those things? In truth, it can be difficult to put a price tag on the misery of the physical and emotional injuries that occurred because of a careless driver, so the insurance companies devised a method of doing so based on your medical treatment expenses.

Accessing the Proof You Need

Because your medical records are the main form of proof of your medical treatment expenses, your accident attorney will likely have you sign a form giving them permission to get copies of your records from the hospital and the doctors that have treated you. You are entitled to copies of your treatment records within 30 days after a request. Your attorney will know what records you need and the fastest manner of requesting them.

The Medical Expense and Damages Connection

As mentioned above, the insurance companies use the total amount of the medical costs (so far) as the base figure for estimating what an accident victim might be owed for pain and suffering. The amount billed to the insurance company and copies of your medical records are proof of the severity of your injuries. Depending on the number of medical procedures, your hospitalizations, the dollar amount of your medical bills, and the predicted future medical needs, a figure can be calculated for your pain and suffering.

To learn more about the vital role your medical records might play in your personal injury case, speak to an attorney as soon as possible.