Any claimant who pursues a serious personal injury lawsuit must be aware that there is the burden of proof that places significant weight on the evidence that can prove this type of case. In most instances, a claimant must present evidence, which includes:

• Medical Evidence – serious personal injury claims nearly always involve some type of medical procedure or medical treatment. Plaintiffs must be able to produce medical records, medical bills, and medical diagnosis to show that their injury was extensive and significant. Medical evidence should also include photos, X-rays and MRIs of the injured area of the body.

• Loss of Income Evidence – serious personal injuries often result in a victim having to miss weeks, months and sometimes years of regular employment during the recovery phase. As part of the serious injury claim, plaintiffs must present evidence of loss of actual income due to the injury, and loss of future income. Often, this evidence takes the form of income statements, witness reports or testimony from an employer about salary, and may also include bank records. Loss of income is very important because it can help a jury determine the amount to award a plaintiff for pain and suffering.

• Injury Site Evidence – plaintiffs must also provide photographic and video evidence of the location where the injury took place. For example, if a car accident caused the loss of use of one of your limbs, you would need to show evidence such as pictures of the accident site, police reports, eyewitness reports, and accident recreation diagrams.

• Life Change Evidence – a serious personal injury often changes the trajectory of a victim’s life. Before the accident, you may have been headed down a path of career and personal success, but after the accident, your fortunes may change. This is especially true if you can no longer work regularly after the injury, causing a decline in your family’s income and well-being. Examples of life change evidence include financial statements showing what the injury has cost you, and depositions from family members, friends, and employers about the lifestyle changes you have been forced to make after the injury.