Preserving and Protecting Evidence in a Car Accident Case
In cases where the insurance company disputes the responsibility of the driver, there could be a huge gap between their claim and your actual injuries. This is especially true if your insurance company blames the negligence of someone else for your accident.
During this time your team will ask information from the other party through interrogatories and depositions. These questions will be posed to the other driver as well as witnesses.
Preserving Evidence
The evidence you have during a car crash can increase your chances to win an award or get damages. This is why it is important to preserve and protect any evidence that you have after the crash.
Thanks to the advances in technology, this is more simple than ever. Smartphones can be used to take high-quality photos and videos of the scene of the crash. These tools can be used to capture evidence that could otherwise be lost or destroyed.
The most important pieces of evidence are the accident site and any witnesses. It is recommended to take pictures of the scene of the
auto accident lawyers immediately following the collision. This could include all vehicles involved in the crash, any skid marks on the roadway, weather conditions, traffic signals and other important factors.
It is also worth contacting nearby businesses to ask them to preserve any evidence relevant to your case. For instance, if you were struck by a vehicle asking that the black box of the truck be preserved could prove valuable to your claim.
It may also be beneficial to request the drug test of the other driver if you suspect that they were reckless or on drugs. These tests could reveal that the driver was intoxicated or distracted, which could be a strong indicator of their culpability in causing an accident.
Documenting your injuries
Documentation is vital in personal injury cases. This will not only guarantee that your healthcare provider knows about your symptoms but also assist your lawyer prove your losses and damage when making a negligence claim against the responsible party.
One of the most important types of documentation is medical records. When you visit your doctor for treatment following an accident, request to be given copies of every document. These records will help explain your injuries, symptoms and diagnoses. Furthermore, these documents will be able to document any costs incurred as a result of the accident. This is important since many of these costs can be refunded as part of your compensation claim.
Keep a record of your physical and emotional state after the incident. This should include any pain you feel and what areas of your body are affected, and
auto accident law firm the exact time that pain occurs. It is also essential to record any mental trauma that you may be experiencing, since juries are often able to make a decision to award non-economic damages for this kind of case.
It is also helpful to take pictures of your injuries, as well as the scene of the crash If you are able to. You can take photos of the vehicle you're driving, any other vehicles involved in the collision as well as any other damages to objects (such buildings or a sign). It is recommended to capture several images of each item from various angles and distances so that investigators can clearly identify the accident's causes.
Collecting witness statements
In a perfect world witnesses' statements should be collected as soon as possible following an accident. Keep in mind that memory loss occurs over time. It is recommended to have witnesses provide their statements as quickly as they can. The more specific a declaration, the more detailed. It's also recommended that any interview with a witness be recorded (with their permission of course) as this can assist in ensuring a precise report of what they witnessed.
You should also look for
Auto accident Law firm witnesses who aren't in the immediate vicinity of the accident. For example, you might be able to ask people who work at local businesses whether they were witnesses to your car
auto accident Law firm. This could result in footage of your accident being filmed on a security camera in a store.
You should also ensure that any statements made by potential witnesses do not include thoughts, feelings or speculations regarding the result of the accident, or feelings of sympathy for you or any other victims involved. These statements could be damaging to your credibility, especially when they're contradicted or disputed by another witness. It is recommended to not request the testimony of anyone who has knowledge of the person at the fault for your injuries or is associated with their employer, as they could attempt to influence your claim in favor of the company they represent. You might not receive the compensation that you need If this is the case.
Contacting an attorney
Consider whether an attorney has the resources to conduct a an exhaustive investigation into the accident. This could mean examining the crash scene in person, conducting interviews with witnesses and gathering additional documentation of the accident and your injuries.
After your attorney has reviewed all the documents they can collect, they will begin an agreement negotiation process with the insurance provider for the driver who was at fault. The aim of this process is to negotiate a fair settlement, without the necessity of a trial. Your attorney could negotiate with the insurance company several times before reaching an agreement.
The severity of your injury will have a major impact on the amount of compensation that you receive. A serious injury can result in higher medical bills and more lasting effects, requiring more intensive care. A few victims of car accidents might require surgery to repair long-term injury damage. These expenses would be reflected in your total economic damages.
Your lawyer will also consider your future medical needs as well as the reduced quality of life your injuries have caused. If you were permanently injured in an accident that required you to renovate your home to allow you access to every part of it, you could include the cost of this in your non-economic damages.