As Joplin MO car accident attorneys, we frequently write about the importance of having a lawyer to represent you in a personal injury claim. However, there are other professionals who may be equally as important to winning a settlement: your doctors.
If you are injured in a Joplin Missouri accident, you should always see a doctor at once. Taking care of your health should be your first priority. Sometimes personal injury victims don't seek medical attention immediately: they think they will recover on their own, or they don't like doctors, or they're worried about the bills. However, failing to see a doctor right away may not only adversely affect your health: it can adversely affect any personal injury claim you decide to file somewhere down the line.
In personal injury claims, whether related to a Joplin car accident or any other type of accident, proof of damages via medical evidence is vital. This evidence becomes even more important if your case goes to trial to be decided by a jury. The importance of medical evidence and a doctor who will back you up cannot be overstated.
As the plaintiff in a personal injury trial, the burden of proof falls on you. Either a judge or a jury will examine the evidence to decide whether, by a "preponderance of the evidence," the defendant should be held legally responsible for your injuries, pain and suffering, etc.