Preserving and Protecting Evidence in a Car Accident Case
In the event that the insurance company denies responsibility, there may be a significant gap between their claim and your total damages. This is especially true if the insurance company blames the cause of your crash on something other than your own negligence.
During this time your team will request for information from the opposing side via interrogatories and depositions. These questions will be asked to the driver who was driving, as witnesses.
Conserving Evidence
The evidence you gather in a car accident could boost your chances of winning settlement or receive damages. This is why it is essential to keep and secure any evidence that you have after a crash.
Fortunately, it is now more simple than ever before to accomplish this, thanks to modern technology. Your smartphone can be used for taking quality photos and videos of the scene of your crash. These tools can help capture evidence that would otherwise be lost or destroyed.
The most important pieces of evidence are the accident scene and witnesses. The ideal is to make an effort to photograph the scene of the accident as it existed right after the collision. This could include all the vehicles involved in the crash, skid marks that are left on the road and other road surfaces, weather conditions, traffic signals and other important factors.
In addition, you should consider making contact with any companies or businesses who are located near the crash site to request that they preserve any evidence relevant to your case. If you were struck by a truck and demanded that its black box be preserved, it could prove useful in your claim.
You might also find it useful to request a testing of the other driver if you suspect they were reckless or on drugs. The tests can show that they were drunk or distracted while driving, which could be strong evidence that they were at fault for the accident.
Documenting Your Injury
When it comes to personal injury cases documentation is essential. This will not only guarantee that your healthcare provider is aware about your condition, but also help your lawyer demonstrate your damages and losses when bringing a negligence claim against the liable person.
Medical records are one of the most essential types of documents. Whenever you visit your doctor to seek treatment following an accident, ask to be provided with copies of each record. These records will be official documents describing your injuries, symptoms, and diagnoses. They will also record the expenses you have incurred due to the accident. This is crucial since a lot of these expenses are reimbursed as part of your compensation claim.
It is also an excellent idea to keep a diary of your mental and physical state following the accident. This should include any pain you experience and what areas of your body are affected and when the pain occurs. If auto accident law firm tucson are suffering from any mental trauma, it is vital to record this also, since juries frequently award non-economic damages for the same type of pain.
If you are able then it's also a good idea to take photographs of your injuries as well as the scene of the crash. This can include photos of your vehicle, other vehicles involved in the collision, and any damage that may have been caused to other objects (such as the sign or building). It is recommended to take several images of each item from different angles and distances so that investigators can clearly see the accident's causes.
Collecting Witness Statements
In the ideal scenario, witnesses' statements should be collected as quickly as possible following an accident. It's important to remember that people's memories fade over time, so it's best to get witnesses to give their statements as soon as possible. The more details you can provide the more information you can provide. It is also recommended to record any interview with witness (with their consent obviously) as this will help ensure that the account of the witness is accurate.
It is also worthwhile to look for witnesses outside the immediate area of your crash. For example, you might consider asking those who work in local businesses whether they witnessed your car accident. This could result in footage of your crash on a store's security camera which could be helpful in your case.
You should also ensure that any statements made by witnesses do not include opinions, feelings or guesses about the result of the accident, or expressing sympathy towards you or other victims involved. These statements could undermine your credibility, especially when they are disputed by other witnesses. Do not ask anyone who knows the person who caused your injuries, or who works for their employer to be a witness. They may try and influence your claim on behalf of the company they represent. If this is the case, you might not be able to get the compensation you need.
Contacting an attorney
Consider whether an attorney has the resources to conduct an exhaustive investigation into the accident. This could include visiting the site of the crash, talking to witnesses, and gathering additional documentation regarding the accident and your injuries.
After examining all the evidence, your attorney will begin the negotiation process of settlement with insurance companies to settle the driver at fault. This is done to ensure that you receive an appropriate settlement without the need for an appeal. Your attorney may have to talk with the insurance company several times before an agreement can be reached.
The severity of your injury will have a significant impact on the amount of compensation that you receive. The most severe injuries can lead to higher medical bills and more long-lasting effects, which require more intensive treatment. For instance, some car accident victims may require surgery to repair long-term damage from an injury. These expenses will be a part of your total financial loss.
Your attorney will also take into account the future medical requirements of you and the diminished quality of your life that your injuries have caused. If you've been permanently injured in an accident that forced you to modify your home in order to be able to access all parts of it, you can include the expense of this in your non-economic losses.