What Experts In The Field Want You To Learn
Preserving and Protecting Evidence in a Car Accident Case
In the event that the insurance company disputes the liability of the other party, there could be a significant gap between their claim and your actual injuries. This is especially true if the insurance company blames your crash on something other than your own negligence.
During this period during this time, your team will inquire for information from the other side via interrogatories and depositions. These questions will be asked to the other driver as well as witnesses.
Preserving Evidence
In a car accident case the evidence you have could greatly increase the chances of obtaining an award and recovering damages. This is why it's crucial to keep and protect all evidence after an accident.
auto accident attorney miramar to the advances in technology, this is now easier than ever. Smartphones can be used to take quality photos and videos of the scene of your crash. These tools can assist in capturing evidence that could otherwise be lost or destroyed.
The crash site itself as well as witnesses are among the most crucial evidence. It is recommended that you try to capture the scene as it was in the immediate aftermath of the collision. This could include all vehicles involved in the collision, any skid marks on the road and weather conditions, traffic signals and other factors.
Also, you should think about reaching out to any businesses or organizations who are located near the crash scene to request that they keep any evidence that might be relevant to your car accident case. If you were struck by a truck and asked that its black box be preserved it could be useful in your case.
It may also be useful to request a testing of the other driver if you suspect that they were negligent or on drugs. These tests could demonstrate that they were intoxicated or distracted when driving, which would be a solid proof of their responsibility for the cause of the accident.
Documenting your injuries
When it comes to personal injury cases, thorough documentation is vital. Not only will this ensure that your healthcare provider is aware of your condition but it will also assist your attorney to prove your damages and losses in a lawsuit against the liable party for negligence.
One of the most essential forms of documentation is medical records. If you visit your doctor for treatment after an accident, you should be given copies of every record. These records will serve to provide information about your injuries, symptoms and diagnoses. In addition, these records will document any expenses incurred as a result of your accident. This is crucial because a lot of these expenses could be reimbursed as part of your compensation claim.
It is also an excellent idea to keep a journal of your mental and physical condition following the incident. This should include the type of pain you experience, where it occurs, and how long it lasts. Also, if experiencing any emotional trauma, it's crucial to document this too, since juries frequently give non-economic damages to victims of this type of suffering.
If you're able to and able, it's also beneficial to take photos of your injuries and the scene of the crash. This could include pictures of your vehicle, any other vehicles involved in the collision, and any damage that could have been caused to other objects (such as a building or sign). It is recommended to capture several photos of each item from various angles and distances so that the investigators can clearly determine the accident's reason for the accident.
Collecting Witness Statements
In a perfect world witness statements should be gathered as soon as possible following an accident. Keep in mind that people's memories fade with time. It is recommended to have witnesses provide their statements as quickly as they can. The more details you can provide, the better. It is also recommended to record any interview with witnesses (with their consent obviously) in order to aid in ensuring that the witness's account is true.
It's also worth searching for witnesses outside of the immediate vicinity of your crash. For instance, you could be able to ask employees of local businesses whether they were witnesses to your car accident. This could result in the footage of your incident being recorded on a security camera at a store.
It is also important to ensure that any statements made by potential witnesses do not include opinions, feelings, or speculations about the outcomes of the accident or feelings of sympathy for you or the other victims. These statements could damage your credibility, especially when they are contradicted by other witnesses. Avoid asking anyone who is familiar with the person responsible for your injuries, or who works for their employer, to be a witness. These individuals may try and influence your claim for the company they represent. You may not get the amount of compensation you need if this is the situation.
Contacting an Attorney
Consider whether an attorney is able to conduct an exhaustive investigation into your accident. This could include examining the scene of the crash in person and interviewing witnesses and gathering additional documentation of the crash and your injuries.
After your lawyer has reviewed all the evidence they can find, they'll begin a settlement negotiation process with the insurance company for the at-fault driver. This process is designed to ensure that you get a fair settlement without the need for a trial. Your attorney could talk to the insurance company multiple times before settling on a settlement.
The severity of your injuries will play a major impact on the amount of compensation you receive. The most severe injuries can result in higher medical costs and more long-lasting effects that require more intensive treatment. Some victims of car accidents could require surgery to correct long-term injuries. These costs would be included in the total amount of your economic damages.
Your attorney will also take into consideration your future medical needs and the diminished quality of your life due to your injuries. If you've sustained permanent injuries in an accident that required you to renovate your home so that you could access all of it, you can count the cost of this in your non-economic damages.