How to Gather Evidence for Your Accident Case
An accident reconstruction expert can help maximize the value of your claim by analyzing the forces that were involved in the accident. They can also give you an understanding of your injuries and calculate the damages you have suffered.
You’ll need to provide proof of your injuries including medical expenses and other expenses that are out of pocket. This documentation should be collected as soon as possible after the accident.
Get Assistance
If you’re involved in a car accident, getting immediate medical attention should be your first priority. If you are able to, gather as much information from the scene of the accident as is possible.
Utilize the camera or video function of your phone to take photographs of the vehicles involved. Photograph damage, skid marks and anything else that you think could be helpful. Inquire anyone who was present at the scene to provide you their contact information and a brief description of what they saw. But, be cautious not to disclose any personal information about your insurance coverage or the policy limits.
Look for any cameras that may have caught the incident, for instance an red light or security camera. Find out who controls those cameras, so you can request copies of the footage later on.
Documentation of your expenses is an additional step. In some cases, you can recover compensation for the money you’ve spent on items like a rental vehicle while your vehicle is being repaired, or a ride to and from work while you are recovering from injuries. Additionally, you may seek compensation for past and future lost earnings if injuries keep you from working or result in less than anticipated earnings in the future.
Make sure you keep your records of any medical expenses that are related to the collision. If your injuries cause a permanent impairment, you may be able to claim damages to cover future costs for care for home modifications and assistive devices that allow you to remain at home or working. You may also be eligible to claim compensation for other financial losses, including the cost for a caregiver or replacement for household services when your injuries stop you from doing these tasks on your own.
Gathering Evidence
In any accident situation, the first step is to gather as the evidence you can. The guidelines for presenting evidence in a courtroom can differ from state to state, but there are certain types of evidence that can be useful in most accidents.
Witness Testimony
Eyewitness testimony is essential when it comes to accidents. It is a factual account of the accident that will help determine the source of the fault. There are numerous witnesses including pedestrians, drivers of nearby vehicles as well as family members or friends. They may also have a smartphone with them that can be used to record their account or they might choose to simply write a report.
Photographic Evidence
Photographs of the scene are the most obvious photographic evidence. The evidence can include a road that has been slick as well as broken glasses and damage to the vehicles involved in the accident. This could include environmental factors like construction sites and traffic signals that could have contributed to the crash.
Police Reports
The police reports compiled following any type of motor vehicle accident are essential for a car accident suit. The reports may include the officer’s evaluation of who was responsible for the accident as the traffic infractions that either driver committed. It’s important to get an official copy of the report as soon as you can, or at least while it’s being written so that you can have an opportunity to check the accuracy of the information.
Witness Contact Information
It is always recommended to gather as much information as possible from any witnesses who might have seen the accident law firm. Ask to have their names and contact numbers so that your lawyer can be able to interview them about what they witnessed during the accident and the immediate aftermath.
Medical Records
If you’re injured in a car accident, it will be essential to keep track of all your medical appointments. These records will be used to document the injuries that you’ve sustained and will help your legal team to calculate the amount you’re entitled to for the damage you sustained.
Documenting your injuries
You should take pictures and videos of the site of the accident attorneys in the event that you are able to do so without putting your health in danger. You can paint a realistic picture of the scene using your smartphone or camera that you have attached to your vehicle. The photos should show any visible injuries or damage that resulted from the accident. It is important to note any skid marks, road conditions and other details that can aid in forming a more precise picture of the incident.
Even if you think your injuries are minor it is important to seek medical attention as soon after the incident as soon as you can. Many injuries, like neck and spinal problems, can manifest themselves in a matter of days or weeks following the incident. The sooner you see a doctor, the more convincing evidence you can use to prove that your injury and losses are directly related to the accident.
It is also important to keep an eye on your medical expenses as well as treatment. You should keep receipts for prescriptions and medical equipment, and for travel expenses to and from medical appointments. These are all costs that you may be able to claim compensation for. Keep a journal or diary about your injury, including the symptoms you are experiencing. This will allow you to record your everyday pain.
Providing the police with an accurate account of what happened at the scene will be important, but it’s an excellent idea to take down names and contact numbers for witnesses as well. The witnesses may be able provide additional details to help the police in their investigation, and should you ever have to pursue a personal injury lawsuit or insurance claim in the future.
In addition to the official police report, you should take the time to obtain an exact copy of the crash report from the insurance company. This report can be helpful in determining the responsibility of the incident, as well as the possible damages that might be incurred, like property damage, medical expenses, lost wages and other costs that are compensable.
Negotiating with the Insurance Company
If you’re dealing with a large insurance company after an accident, it is recommended to consult an experienced attorney. They can negotiate better settlements as well as deal with insurance adjusters for you.
Your lawyer will gather financial documents from your employer, bank accounts, and investments to show how the accident impacted your earnings. They will also request medical records from your medical professionals to help support your injury claim. You may be required to participate in an interview or give a deposition about the accident in order to obtain an official report. They will then review all the evidence and consult experts in determining the amount of your noneconomic damages are worth.
After gathering all the necessary information After assembling all the necessary information, they draft a letter of demand to be sent to the insurance company that is at the fault. This document will outline the facts of the case and legal reasons as to why the insured is responsible under NY law, and make an appeal for compensation. The insurance company is likely to respond with an offer of a small amount. Your lawyer will help you in deciding whether to accept, deny or return to discussions with the counteroffer.
Negotiating with an insurance company can be a bit of a challenge because what you say may hurt your case. Do not admit fault or say you will not sue. This can be used in court later against you. Be careful not to make any statements about your injuries and the reason for the accident in case they are used to decrease your claim.
An experienced Long Island car accident lawyer can assist you with insurance company negotiations. They’ll be able examine the offers offered and assist you in determining what you’re entitled in terms of financial compensation and the medical treatment or other expenses you’ll need in the future.
The insurance company can be tricky to deal with and many of their tactics are meant to entice you into accepting the lowest offer you’re entitled to. Be firm when negotiating and keep in mind that any settlement you negotiate must be written. This will prevent an unethical adjuster from saying something over the phone, only to later denying it later.