Preserving and Protecting Evidence in a Car Accident Case
In cases where the liability of the party is contested, there may be a significant gap between the insurance company's claim and the true extent of your injuries. This is particularly true when the insurance company blames the cause of your crash on something other than your own negligence.
During this time, your team will ask for information from the opposing party through interrogatories and depositions. These questions will be asked of witnesses, witnesses, and others.
Conserving Evidence
The evidence you have during a car crash can increase your chances to win an award or get damages. It is essential to preserve and secure any evidence you might have following a car accident.
Thanks to the advances in technology, this is more simple than ever before. Smartphones can be used to capture high-quality images and videos of the scene of the crash. These tools can be used to capture evidence that could otherwise be lost or destroyed.
The crash site itself and witnesses are among the most crucial evidence. The ideal is to make an effort to photograph the
Auto accident scene as it was in the immediate aftermath of the collision. This includes all vehicles involved in a collision, any skidmarks on the road, the weather conditions and traffic signs, as well as other important factors.
In addition, you should consider contact with any business or company close to the accident location to request that they keep any evidence relevant to your car accident case. For instance, if you were struck by a truck, requesting that the black box in the truck be preserved could prove valuable to your claim.
If you believe that the driver in the other car was under the influence of drugs or negligent, asking for their drug tests may be beneficial in your case. These tests may show that the driver was intoxicated or distracted, which could be a solid proof of their culpability in creating an accident.
Documenting your injuries
When it comes to personal injury cases, accurate documentation is essential. This not only ensures that your healthcare provider is aware of your medical condition, but it will also aid your attorney in proving your damages and losses in a lawsuit against the party responsible for negligence.
One of the most important types of documentation is medical records. Whenever you visit your doctor to seek treatment following an accident, ask to be given copies of every document. These records will be official documents detailing your injuries, symptoms and diagnoses. These records also document the costs you incurred because of the accident. This is crucial since a lot of these expenses are reimbursed as part of your compensation claim.
Keep a journal about your physical and emotional condition following the accident. This should include any pain you feel and the areas of your body are affected, and the time when the pain is felt. Additionally, if you are experiencing any emotional trauma, it's vital to record this also, since juries typically make awards of non-economic damages for this type of suffering.
If you are able and able, it's also beneficial to take photographs of your injuries and the scene of the crash. It is possible to take photos of the car you are driving, other vehicles that were involved in the crash as well as any other damage to objects (such a building or a sign). It is recommended to take several photographs of each object from various angles and distances, so that investigators can clearly see the accident's reason for the accident.
Collecting Witness Statements
The ideal scenario is for witness statements to be taken as soon as possible after an
auto accident attorney. Keep in mind that people's memories fade as time passes. It is recommended to get witnesses to give their statements as quickly as possible. The more specific a statement is, the more precise. It is also recommended that any interview with a witness be recorded (with their permission, of course) because this will ensure a true description of what they saw.
You should also search for witnesses who aren't within the immediate vicinity of your accident. You could ask local business owners if they were there to witness your accident. This could result in footage of your incident being recorded on a security camera in a store.
It's also worth ensuring that any statements made by prospective witnesses do not contain guesses or opinions about the outcome of your
auto accident law firms or sympathy for the other victims who were involved in the collision. These statements can hurt your credibility, especially when they are contradicted by other witnesses. Do not ask anyone who knows the person who caused your injuries, or who works for their employer, to provide evidence. They may try and influence your claim on behalf of the company they represent. You might not receive the compensation that you need in this case.
Contacting an attorney
When evaluating an attorney, consider whether they have the resources to conduct thorough investigation into your crash. This could mean visiting the site of the crash, speaking with witnesses, and gathering additional documentation regarding the accident and your injuries.
After your attorney has reviewed all the documents they can collect, they will start negotiations for a settlement with the insurance provider for the driver who is at fault. This will ensure that you receive a fair settlement, without having to go through a trial. Your attorney may bargain with the insurance company several times before settling on a settlement.
The severity of your injury will have a major impact on the amount of compensation you receive. A serious injury can result in greater medical expenses and permanent effects that require more intensive treatment. Certain victims of car accidents may require surgery to repair the long-term damage to their injuries. These expenses will be reflected in your total economic damages.
Your attorney will also be considering your future medical needs as well as the decreased quality of life that is a result of your injuries. For instance, if are permanently injured in a crash that results in the need to remodel your home in order to access all areas of it and also the cost of doing this could be a part of your non-economic damages.