Preserving and Protecting Evidence in a Car Accident Case
In cases where the liability of the party is disputed, there could be a gap between the insurance company's claim and the totality of your injuries. This is especially true when your insurance company blames something other than negligence for the accident.
During auto accident attorney anchorage will request for information from the opposing side via interrogatories and depositions. These questions will be posed to the other driver, as well as witnesses.
Conserving Evidence
In the case of a car crash the evidence you possess can significantly increase your chances of winning a settlement and recovering damages. It is important to preserve all evidence you may have after an accident.
With the advancement of technology, this is easier than ever before. Your smartphone can be used to snap high-quality pictures and video of the scene of your crash. These tools can help capture evidence that might otherwise be lost or destroyed.
The most important pieces of evidence are the crash site as well as any witnesses. Try to capture the scene of the accident immediately following the collision. This could include all vehicles involved in the crash, any skid marks left on the road and other road surfaces, traffic signals, weather conditions, and other relevant factors.
In addition, you should consider contacting any businesses or companies that are near the accident location to request that they keep any evidence that might be relevant to your case. For instance, if were struck by a car and you want to request that the black box of the truck be preserved may prove beneficial to your case.
If you believe that the other driver was under the influence of drugs or negligent, asking for their drug tests could also be helpful in your case. These tests could prove that they were drunk or distracted when driving, which would be evidence of their negligence in causing the accident.
Documenting Your Injury
When it comes to personal injury cases, accurate documentation is vital. This will not only guarantee that your healthcare provider is informed about your condition, but also help your lawyer demonstrate your damages and losses when filing a claim for negligence against the liable person.
One of the most essential forms of documentation is medical records. Request copies of all records whenever you visit your doctor to receive treatment after an accident. These records will serve as official documentation of your injuries, symptoms and diagnoses. These records also document any costs you incur in the aftermath of your accident. This is crucial since a large portion of these expenses could be refunded as part your compensation claim.
It's also a good idea to keep a diary of your physical and mental state after the incident. It should include the type of pain you experience, where it occurs, and the length of time it lasts. Additionally, if you are suffering from emotional trauma, it's essential to document it also, since juries frequently make awards of non-economic damages for this kind of pain.
If you're able then it's also a good idea to get photographs of your injuries as well as the scene of the crash. This can include photos of your car, any other vehicles involved in the crash, as well as any damage that may be caused to other objects (such as signs or buildings). It is best to take multiple images of each object at different angles to help the investigators determine the exact cause of the crash.
Collecting witness statements
Ideally, witness statements should be collected as quickly as possible following an accident. It's important to keep in mind that people's memories fade over time, so it's best to ask witnesses to provide their statements as soon as possible. The more detailed the statement, the more precise. It is also recommended to record any interview with a witness (with their consent of course) in order to help ensure that the account of the witness is correct.
It's also worthwhile to search for witnesses outside the immediate vicinity of your accident. For instance, you might need to ask those working at local businesses whether they witnessed your accident. This could result in the footage of your incident being recorded on a security camera in a store.
It's also worth ensuring that any statements made by potential witnesses do not include speculations or opinions regarding the result of your accident, or feelings of sympathy for the other victims involved in the collision. These statements could be detrimental to your credibility, especially when they are contradicted by a different witness. Do not ask anyone who knows the person responsible for your injuries, or works for their employer, to testify. They may attempt to influence your claim for the company they represent. You might not receive the compensation you need if this is the case.
Contacting an attorney
Think about whether a lawyer has the resources to conduct a a thorough investigation of your accident. This could include investigating the scene of the crash in person and interviewing witnesses and obtaining other documentation of the incident and your injuries.
After reviewing all the documentation after reviewing all the documents, your lawyer will start the negotiation process for settlement with insurance companies for the driver responsible. This is to ensure that you receive a fair settlement without the need for a trial. Your attorney can bargain with the insurance company a number of times before reaching an agreement.
The severity of your injuries will play a significant factor in the amount of compensation you receive. Injuries that are severe can result in more expensive medical bills and lasting effects, which require more intense care. For instance, some car accident victims might require surgery to fix long-term damage from an injury. These expenses would be reflected in the total cost of your damages.
Your attorney will also consider the future medical requirements of you and the reduced quality of life your injuries have wrought. For instance, if you are permanently injured during a collision that resulted in the need for a remodel of your home so you can access all areas as well as the expense of doing this could be included in your non-economic damages.