Preserving and Protecting Evidence in a Car Accident Case

In cases where the insurance company contests responsibility, there may be a huge gap between their claim and the full extent of your damages. This is especially true if the insurance company blames your crash on something other than your negligence.

During this period your team will request for information from the opposing side via interrogatories and depositions. These questions will be posed to the other driver, witnesses and others.

Conserving Evidence

The evidence you've gathered in a car accident could increase your chances to win an award or get damages. This is why it's important to keep and secure all evidence after the crash.

It's easier than ever to do this, thanks to the advancements in technology. Smartphones can be used for taking quality photos and videos of the scene of your crash. Using these tools can help preserve important evidence that could otherwise be lost or destroyed.

The most critical pieces of evidence include the actual accident site and any witnesses. It is important to record the accident scene just after the collision. This includes all vehicles involved in a collision, any skidmarks on the road, conditions of the weather as well as traffic signs and other important factors.

It is also worth contacting local businesses to ask them to preserve any evidence relevant to your case. For instance, if you were struck by a vehicle asking that the truck's black box be preserved could prove valuable to your claim.

If you believe that the other driver was under the influence of drugs or negligent, asking for their drug tests may be beneficial in your case. The tests can show that they were drunk or distracted when driving, which would be a solid proof of their fault for causing the accident.

Documenting Your Injury

Documentation is crucial in personal injury cases. This will not only guarantee that your healthcare provider is aware about your injuries, but also help 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. Request copies of all records whenever you visit your doctor for treatment following an commerce auto accident lawyer. These records will be used to provide information about your injuries, symptoms and diagnoses. These records will also document the expenses you have incurred because of your accident. This is important as a lot of these costs can be refunded as part of your compensation claim.

Keep a journal about your physical and emotional state after the accident. This should include any pain you feel as well as the parts of your body are affected and the time when the pain is felt. It is also crucial to document any mental trauma that you may be experiencing, since juries will often make a decision to award non-economic damages for this type of injury.

It is also beneficial to take pictures of your injuries and of the accident scene when you are able. You can take photographs of the car you are driving, the other vehicles that were involved in the accident and any other damages to objects (such a building or a sign). It is advisable to take several photos of each object from various angles to help the investigators discern the exact cause for the crash.

Collecting witness statements

In an ideal world, witness statements would be collected as soon as possible after an accident. Keep in mind that people's memories fade with time. It is recommended to have witnesses provide their statements as soon as possible. The more specific the declaration, the more precise. It is also recommended to record any interview with witnesses (with their consent and, of course, Vimeo their consent) in order to aid in ensuring that the witness's statement is accurate.

It's also worth looking for witnesses outside the immediate area of your crash. You might ask local business owners if anyone witnessed your accident. This could lead to footage of your crash on the security camera in a store that could be helpful in your case.

It's also important to make sure that any statements from potential witnesses don't include guesses or opinions regarding the result of your accident, or sympathy for the other victims involved in the collision. These statements can be damaging to your credibility, particularly if they're contradicted by another witness. Avoid asking anyone who knows the person responsible for your injuries, or who works for their employer to give evidence. They may attempt to influence your claim on behalf of the company they represent. You might not receive the compensation you require if this is the situation.

Contacting an attorney

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

After reviewing all the documentation, your attorney will begin negotiations for settlement with insurance companies to settle the driver who was at fault. The goal is to negotiate a fair settlement, without the necessity of a trial. Your attorney can discuss with the insurance company multiple times before reaching an agreement.

The severity of your injury will have a major impact on the amount of compensation that you receive. Severe injuries can lead to higher medical bills and more long-lasting effects, which require more intense care. For instance, some car accident victims may require surgery to repair long-term damage from an injury. These expenses will be reflected in the total amount of your economic damages.

Your attorney will also consider the medical needs of your future and the diminished quality of your life that your injuries have wrought. If you were permanently injured in an accident that forced you to modify your home to allow you access to all of it, you can count the cost of this in your non-economic loss.