If you have been harmed in a car wreck or another type of accident, you may be considering filing a personal injury claim. You have the right to drive the roads, use facilities and shop without having to worry about hazards and the carelessness of others. When it comes to the amount of compensation you can get, you will find that the dollar amount of your medical bills will play a major role in your money damages. Read on for some information about getting access to those important records and how they affect your payment from your personal injury claim.

Your Medical Bills

You might be saying "What medical bills?". In most cases, as long as the other driver had insurance, you won't need to actually come up with any money to pay for your medical treatment as a result of your accident. That does not mean, however, that you should just ignore this issue. No matter who has to pay the price for the treatment, you must stay on top of the your records and medical receipts. The dollar amount of your treatment is the prime indicator of the seriousness of your medical condition. This number is used to create a full picture of your pain and suffering and goes right into a calculation to determine the amount you will be offered from the at-fault party's insurance carrier.

Accessing Your Medical Records

Alongside of the dollar amount of your medical treatment (so far) in importance is what you have had done as a result of the accident. From the ambulance ride, to hospitalizations and surgeries to ongoing medication and physical therapy, it's all important. You may be facing months or even years of rehabilitation and you may even be permanently injured. You will need to show proof of your treatment in order to establish a baseline for figuring future medical payments you may need. You cannot just insist that you need further care, you must show that you do.

Fortunately, the law is on your side when it comes to getting those records. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) allows consumers to get copies of their medical records upon request for a nominal charge within 30 days. To get your records quickly and accurately:

1. Indicate the date range to avoid having to wade through sheaths of documents to find the appropriate ones.

2. Once you get the records, check them carefully to ensure they are complete. Missing one or two sheets can be a big problem.

3. Be sure to request your records from each and every facility. Keep in mind that medical care is parsed out to specialists, so check with labs, pharmacies, therapists, various specialists, diagnostic providers and more.

4. One of your best moves during this time is to sign up a personal injury attorney to help you get the compensation you need and deserve. They will know what records are needed and how to access them quickly, among other many other vital things.

To find out more about filing a personal injury lawsuit, talk with professionals who handle personal injury law services.