Preserving and Protecting Evidence in a Car Accident Case

In cases where the liability of the party is contested, there may be a large gap between the insurance company's claim and the true extent of your injuries. This is particularly true when the insurance company blames the crash on something other than your own negligence.

During this period the team will be asking for information from the opposing side via interrogatories and depositions. These questions will be put to the driver in question, as witnesses.

Preserving Evidence

In the event of a car accident the evidence you have will greatly increase the chances of obtaining settlements and recovering damages. It is crucial to keep all evidence you might have following an accident.

Thanks to the advancements in technology, this is more simple than ever before. Smartphones can be used to capture high-quality pictures and video of the scene of the crash. These tools can be used to capture evidence that could otherwise be lost or destroyed.

The most crucial pieces evidence include the actual crash site and witnesses. You should try to capture the auto accident attorney scene just after the collision. This could include all the vehicles involved in the accident, any skid marks that are left on the road and other road surfaces, weather conditions, traffic signals as well as other factors that are relevant to the crash.

Additionally, you should consider contact with any business or company located near the auto accident law firm site to request that they keep any evidence that might be relevant to your car accident case. For example, if you were struck by a truck, requesting that the black box in the truck be preserved may prove beneficial to your case.

If you believe that the other driver was drunk or negligent, asking their drug tests may also prove helpful in your case. These tests could prove that they were drunk or distracted while driving, which could be evidence of their fault for causing the accident.

Documenting Your Injuries

When it comes to personal injury cases, thorough documentation is crucial. This not only ensures that your healthcare provider is aware of the symptoms but it will also help your attorney prove your damages and losses in a lawsuit against the liable party for negligence.

Medical records are one of the most important forms of documents. Ask for copies of all medical records when you visit your doctor for treatment after an accident. These records will serve as official documents detailing your injuries, symptoms, and diagnoses. Additionally, these documents record any expenses you incur as a result of your accident. This is important since many of these expenses could be reimbursed as part your compensation claim.

It's also an excellent idea to keep a journal of your mental and physical state following the incident. This should include any pain that you feel as well as the parts of your body are affected, and the time when the pain is felt. If you are suffering from emotional trauma, it's crucial to document this also, since juries frequently decide to award non-economic damages in this type of suffering.

If you're able to, it is also helpful to take pictures of your injuries and the scene of the crash. You can take photos of the vehicle you are driving, any other vehicles that were involved in the auto accident Law firms or any other damages to objects (such buildings or a sign). It is recommended to capture several photographs of each object from various angles and distances so that the investigators can clearly see the accident's cause.

Collecting Witness Statements

The ideal scenario is for witness statements to be taken as soon as possible following an accident. Keep in mind that memories fade as time passes. It is best to ask witnesses to provide their statements as quickly as possible. The more detail you can provide the more detail you can provide, the better. It is also recommended that any interview with a witness is recorded (with their permission of course) because this will assist in ensuring a precise account of what they saw.

You should also look for witnesses that aren't within the immediate vicinity of your accident. For instance, you might consider asking employees of local businesses whether they witnessed your accident. This could lead to footage of your crash being recorded on the security camera in a store which could be helpful in your situation.

You should also make sure that any statements made by witnesses do not contain opinions, feelings, or speculations about the result of the accident, or expressing sympathy towards the other victims. These statements could be damaging to your credibility, especially when they are contradicted by a different witness. Avoid asking anyone who knows the person responsible for your injuries, or who works for their employer to provide evidence. They may attempt to try and influence your claim on behalf of the company they represent. You might not receive the compensation you require if this is the case.

Contacting an Attorney

When evaluating an attorney, consider whether they have the resources to conduct in-depth investigations into the circumstances of your crash. This could include examining the crash scene in person as well as conducting interviews with witnesses and obtaining other documentation of the crash and your injuries.

Once your attorney has viewed all the documentation they could collect, they will begin a settlement negotiation process with the insurance company for the driver at fault. The goal is to reach a fair settlement, without the necessity of a trial. Your attorney may bargain with the insurance company multiple times before reaching an agreement.

The severity of your accident will have a significant impact on the amount of compensation you receive. The most severe injuries can lead to higher medical bills and more long-lasting effects, which require more intense care. Certain victims of car accidents may require surgery to repair long-term injury damage. These expenses would be reflected in the total cost of your damages.

Your attorney will also be considering the medical needs of your future as well as the reduced quality of life resulting from your injuries. If you sustained permanent injuries in an accident that required you to remodel your home so that you could access every part of it, you can include the cost of this in your non-economic damages.