If you are ever seriously injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, there are some legal documents that you should have in place. Because no one knows if or when they might be injured in such an accident, it is important to maintain these legal documents at all times – for myriad reasons. While there are any number of legal documents that you should have and keep track of, these following five are essential.
Power of Attorney
Power of attorney – or POA – is a legal document that allows someone else to act on your behalf and to make decisions that are legally binding when you are unable to do so for yourself. There are a variety of different kinds of POAs, and each of them plays a specific role. These fall into two basic categories that include:
General Power of Attorney – A general power of attorney allows your agent broad authority in a variety of areas.
Limited Power of Attorney – A limited power of attorney allows your agent authority over only a specific power. For example, a financial POA allows your trusted agent to control your finances and/or to make investment decisions on your behalf. Further, a medical POA allows your trusted appointee to make important decisions about your medical treatment when you are unable to do so – after being injured in an accident, for example.
If you are injured in an accident that was caused by someone else, you will sign a legal POA that allows your experienced personal injury attorney to make important legal determinations on behalf of your case. It’s important to clarify, however, that your attorney works for you and does not have the power to make important decisions without your consent.
A Will
A will directs how your estate will be distributed upon your death. If you are fatally injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, having a will in place will help protect your loved ones financially. Dealing with a family member’s death is difficult enough, but when he or she has no will in place, it can make the situation even more harrowing. If you have no will, the State of Texas’s default regulations will come into play, and there is every reason to believe that they may not align with your wishes or the best interests of your loved ones and that your family will experience delays related to your wrongful death case.
Your Driver’s License and Proof of Insurance
You are required to have your driver's license and proof of insurance on you whenever you are behind the wheel. Not to do so can incur penalties. These two legal documents are proof that you have the legal right to drive in Texas.
Your Car Title
If the accident that leaves you injured is a car accident, you are going to need your car title. In fact, every car owner should have access to all of his or her car titles. This title is proof that the car belongs to you and that you are entitled to recover on any property damage associated with the accident in question.
An Experienced Killeen Personal Injury Attorney Can Help
If someone else’s negligence leaves you injured in an accident, attorney Brett Pritchard at The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard in Killeen, Texas, is here to help. Mr. Pritchard is committed to aggressively advocating for the compensation to which you are entitled. For more information, please do not hesitate to contact or call us at 254-501-4040 today.