Why Track Medical Expenses During a Car Crash Claim

Being injured in a car crash creates an immediate and complex situation even if you are the only party involved. When the accident is caused by another driver’s negligence, however, it adds a whole other layer of frustration.

Why should victims have to pay for things like surgery, emergency care or vehicle damages that someone else caused?

At PKSD, we agree. However, before you can ask the at-fault party to pay up, you need to identify your damages and add up the costs. You also need to prove these costs were the result of the crash and caused by the other driver. If you cannot link your damages to the crash, there is no way the insurance company will pay for anything.

Find out how tracking medical expenses after a crash could provide evidence and put more money in your pocket. Better still, call our firm today to find out what we can do to help you succeed in your claim. Our firm offers a free consultation to answer your questions and discuss your situation.

Request your FREE case review. 877-877-2228

How Does Tracking My Medical Costs Help My Claim?

There are a few ways that tracking your medical costs and treatments can help the outcome of your claim.

Medical Records Give Proof of Your Injuries

We always remind people to get medical care immediately after a crash, not later.

The reason for this is simple. Getting examined in the first place is critical for your health, and that should always be a top priority. However, when you go to the hospital, details about your visit are also documented in your medical records. For instance, the date and time of your visit, diagnosis and treatment you received.

These details help link your injuries to the crash. Each visit will also result in new costs for the care you received. Injured victims who skip seeking medical care or fail to track their expenses after a crash will have a much harder time proving their case.

Follow-Up Appointments Also Support Your Claim

Depending on the severity of your injuries, your doctor may recommend surgery, physical therapy and other treatment. It is important that you attend these appointments to help you heal faster and more fully. Not following up with medical care could actually slow your recovery. It could even cause your injuries to worsen or prevent you from being able to fully heal.

Continuing with your care and attending your appointments also supports your legal claim. Each visit, your doctor will add documentation about your ongoing treatment, the progress you are making and estimated prognosis.

Missing your appointments, however, can have the opposite effect. It gives room for insurers to argue that you are not trying to get better or that your injuries are not as bad as you say. In either case, it can negatively impact your claim.

Medical Costs Quickly Add Up

There are so many medical costs associated with a car crash claim. These expenses add up quickly and can place a significant financial burden on you and your family. Documenting each of these costs provides tangible evidence of your damages and supports your claim.

When Should I Start Tracking Medical Expenses Related to My Car Crash?

Injury victims should track their medical costs from the very beginning. There are several ways you can do this, and we will explain how later in this blog. The key here is to track all related documents and make sure they are safely stored.

Having these records can help you easily recall information later on that you would not be able to remember otherwise.

What if I Give the Insurance Company My Medical Records as Proof of My Injuries?

You could, but it would still not provide enough evidence on its own. It also gives the insurance company access to all of your private medical records, including those not relevant to your crash. Doing this could do your claim more harm than good.

A better approach is to have your attorney review your records and make sure the insurance company only gets access to details related to your claim.

What Medical Expenses Do I Need to Track After a Car Crash?

Any costs related to your crash and your injuries should be carefully tracked and recorded. Specific examples of the medical expenses you should track should include:

• Emergency care at the crash site and emergency transport to the hospital
• Diagnostic testing needed throughout your recovery
• Surgery
• Hospital stays
• Mobility devices, such as crutches, prosthetics or a wheelchair
• Prescription and over-the-counter medication costs
• Dental or vision care related to injuries you suffered in the crash
• Physical or rehabilitation therapy
• Home modifications needed to accommodate your injuries
• Transportation costs to get to and from your appointments
• Mental health counseling
• Caregiver costs

In short, anything you have to pay for because of your crash and the damages you suffered as a result.

How Do I Track the Medical Expenses From My Car Crash?

There are many ways you can track your expenses from a crash. We list a couple of methods that are known to work.

Some of the methods we recommend include:

• Scan and store: Just like it sounds, you can scan every hard receipt, medical invoice, pay stub, or letter. We recommend sorting your scanned files into folders. For instance, employer/wage documents, medical bills, transportation costs, etc.
• Photograph all documents: Although there are smartphone scan apps available now, you can also photograph your documents and save them on your cloud drive or computer.
• Keep a journal: Use this documentation in addition to tracking expenses to record details about the treatment you receive. Date each entry – make sure it is neat and concise. Regularly record doctor visits, including new treatments or prescriptions given. Also, discuss your daily pain levels and how your quality of life has been affected. Be specific – for instance, you used to be on the track team but your injury prevents you from running anymore. Can you dress and bathe yourself? How about daily tasks around the house?
• Save hard copies: If you choose this option, we also recommend making copies or scans of these documents. Some receipts fade over time, and hard copies can easily get lost or destroyed.
• Document-related phone calls: These could be from the insurance company or medical professional providing your care. Write down for each call the date, time and what was discussed.

Whatever method you choose, remember to be consistent.

Call Our Trusted Law Firm to Discuss Your Situation After a Crash

Our attorneys at PKSD are both experienced and knowledgeable. We have been helping victims of car crashes and other injuries for decades. Our Milwaukee-area auto crash attorneys are ready to help you recover the full and fair compensation you need.

Call our law offices any time of day or night. Our team is ready to take your call and set up your free case review. If you choose our firm to represent you, there are also no upfront costs to pay.

Experienced. Local. Lawyers. 877-877-2228