Following a motor vehicle collision, individuals often incur immediate costs not covered by insurance at the time of service. These expenditures can include, but are not limited to, co-pays for medical appointments, prescription medications, physical therapy sessions, and the immediate cost of vehicle repairs required for safe operation. For example, an individual may need to pay a $50 co-pay for each visit to a chiropractor and purchase over-the-counter pain relievers while awaiting settlement of the insurance claim.
The significance of documenting these costs lies in their potential for reimbursement as part of an insurance settlement or legal claim. Keeping meticulous records provides concrete evidence of financial burden resulting from the incident. Furthermore, understanding the scope of potential recoverable amounts allows claimants to accurately assess the overall impact and negotiate effectively with insurance adjusters or opposing counsel. Historically, failure to adequately document such losses has resulted in undercompensation for injured parties.
