Posted on 03/19/26
Document your injuries for a personal injury claim in New York by getting immediate medical attention. Go to a hospital to treat your injuries right away, as this creates an official medical record.
Take photos of your injuries and keep a journal detailing their severity. Your photos can help you show an insurance company how badly you were injured, and your journal allows you to track your injury symptoms.
Get doctors’ notes, diagnostic test results, treatment plans, and other medical evidence. These can make it difficult for an insurance company to dispute your claim.
Notify the police about your injuries if they occur in a motor vehicle accident. When you do, the police will create a report that you can add to your collection of evidence.
If you’re injured on someone else’s premises, inform the landlord, business operator, property owner, or other at-fault parties in writing. This shows that you formally notified a liable party about your injuries.
Do not share information about your injuries or daily activities on social media. Otherwise, an insurance adjuster or liable party may look at your social media pages and use the content on them to dispute your claim.
Tips for Documenting Your Injuries for a Personal Injury Claim in New York
Start documenting your injuries for your personal injury claim in Buffalo right away. Below are some of the things that you can do to ensure that your injuries are documented properly:
- Consult with a doctor within 24 to 48 hours of getting hurt. Don’t wait to get medical help, since an insurance company may dispute your claim if you wait too long from the time you are injured to seek medical attention.
- Follow your doctor’s orders. Comply with your doctor’s care requests, as doing so can show an insurer that you are doing everything you can to treat your injuries.
- Maintain an injury journal. Write down your daily or weekly injury symptoms. Include details about the severity of your symptoms, any medications you’re taking, and other relevant injury information.
- Photograph your injuries. Capture photos of your injuries during the recovery process.
- Track your medical costs. Put together a file that includes your costs for doctors’ visits, medications, and other medical expenses. You should also track the income you lose if you can’t work due to your injuries.
When to File a Personal Injury Claim in New York
The statute of limitations for most personal injury claims in New York is three years, according to New York Civil Practice Law and Rules (CPLR) § 214(5). You can file a claim if you are injured for various reasons, such as a car crash or slip and fall accident.
After you file your claim, an insurance company could offer a settlement for your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses. You can negotiate a settlement with the insurer or accept the proposal.
Document your injuries for your New York personal injury claim. Provide an insurance company with documentation regarding your injuries, as this can make it tough for the business to dispute your claim.
Have a personal injury lawyer help you submit your claim in alignment with New York law, gather evidence, and negotiate fair compensation for your losses. If no settlement is reached, your attorney may bring your injury case to trial.