Preserving and Protecting Evidence in a Car Accident Case

In cases where the liability of the party is in dispute, there could be a huge gap between the insurance company's claim and the extent of your injuries. This is especially true if the insurance company blames your accident on something other than your negligence.

During this period your team will ask information from the other side, through interrogatories and depositions. These questions will be posed to the other driver, as witnesses as well.

Preserving Evidence

In the case of a car crash the evidence you possess can significantly increase the chances of obtaining a settlement and recovering damages. This is why it's vital that you keep and protect every piece of evidence following a crash.

Thanks to the advancements in technology, this is easier than ever. Smartphones can be used to take quality photos and videos of the scene of the crash. Utilizing these tools can help preserve important evidence that could otherwise be lost or destroyed.

The crash site itself and witnesses are the most crucial pieces of evidence. You should try to capture the scene of the auto accident right after the collision. This could include all the vehicles involved in the collision, any skid marks on the roadway, traffic signals, weather conditions, and other relevant factors.

Furthermore, you should think about contacting any businesses or companies who are located near the crash area to request they keep any evidence that might be relevant to your car accident case. For instance, if were struck by a car, requesting that the truck's black box be preserved could prove valuable to your case.

If you suspect that the driver in the other car was under the influence or negligent, requesting their drug tests could be beneficial in your case. The tests can show that they were intoxicated or distracted while driving, which could be a strong proof of their negligence in causing the accident.

Documenting your injuries

In personal injury cases, proper documentation is crucial. This will not only guarantee that your healthcare provider knows about your symptoms but also assist your lawyer to prove your damages and losses when filing a claim for negligence against the person who is responsible.

One of the most important forms of documentation is medical records. Ask for copies of all medical records when you visit your doctor for treatment following an accident. These records will be used to describe your injuries, symptoms and diagnoses. Additionally, these documents document any expenses incurred due to your accident. This is crucial since a large portion of these expenses can be reimbursed as part of your compensation claim.

Keep a diary of your physical and emotional state after the accident. It should include the type of pain you feel as well as the location where it occurs and the length of time it lasts. It is also essential to record any mental trauma you might be dealing with, as juries are often able to award non-economic damage for this type.

It is also beneficial to take pictures of your injuries and the accident scene in the event that you can. You can also take pictures of the car you are driving, the other vehicles that were involved in the crash and any other damages to objects (such a building or a sign). It is recommended to take multiple photos of each object at different angles to allow the investigators to see the exact cause of the crash.

Collecting Witness Statements

Ideally, witness testimony should be taken as soon as possible following an accident. It's important to remember that people's memories fade over time, so it's best to request witnesses to give their statements as soon as they are able. The more specific a declaration, the more precise. It is also recommended that an interview with a witness be recorded (with their permission, of course) since this will aid in ensuring an accurate report of what they witnessed.

It's also worth searching for witnesses outside of the immediate vicinity of your crash. You could ask local business owners if they witnessed your accident. This could result in the footage of your auto accident law firms being filmed on a security camera at a store.

It is also important to ensure that any statements made by potential witnesses do not include thoughts, feelings or speculations about the outcome of the incident or expressing sympathy towards the other victims involved. These statements could be damaging to your credibility, particularly when they're contradicted or disputed by another witness. Do not ask anyone who knows the person who caused your injuries, or who works for their employer to be a witness. They may attempt to try and influence your claim on behalf of the company they represent. You might not receive the amount of compensation you need in this case.

Contacting an attorney

When evaluating an attorney, take into consideration whether they have the resources necessary to conduct extensive investigations into the circumstances of your crash. This could mean visiting the site of the crash, speaking with witnesses and gathering other evidence about the accident and your injuries.

Once your attorney has viewed all the documentation they can collect, they will start negotiations for a settlement with the insurance company of the driver who was at fault. The purpose of this negotiation is to secure a fair settlement, without the need for an appeal. Your lawyer might need to talk with the insurance company a number of times before an agreement can be reached.

The severity of your injury will have a major impact on the amount of compensation you receive. Injuries that are severe can result in greater medical expenses and long-lasting effects, which require more intensive care. Certain victims of car accidents may require surgery to correct long-term injuries. The cost of these surgeries would be included in your total economic damages.

Your lawyer will also take into consideration your future medical needs and the lower quality of life your injuries have caused. If you were permanently injured in an accident that forced you to remodel your house so that you could access all parts of it, you can count the cost of this in your non-economic losses.