The key to any successful outcome in a car accident claim is gathering proper evidence. The more comprehensive and accurate your evidence, the better your case will be.
Strong evidence can establish liability, prove the extent of your injuries, and support your claims.
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, it’s important to understand what types of evidence will support your claim and help you get the compensation you deserve.
To ensure that all necessary evidence is collected and properly presented, it is essential to hire a car accident lawyer. They can guide you through the legal process. They are professional enough to deal with these claims and will not let you miss any important detail.
The following are five crucial pieces of evidence that you will need for your car accident claim:
1. Police Report
One of the most important pieces of evidence after a car accident is the police report. It represents an official, unbiased account of the incident that may be of vital importance in establishing the facts of the case. A typical police report will contain:
- The time and location of the accident
- The cause of the accident
- Statements of witnesses
- The opinions of the responding officer
The officer can also show whether any traffic laws were breached or if any parties were cited due to negligence. This document will help establish liability, especially when there is a dispute as to who was at fault. In some cases, it also contains a diagram of the accident scene, which further clarifies how the accident took place.
2. Photographs of the Scene and Damages
Visual evidence supports your claim. Take pictures of the scene of the accident, the damages to the vehicle, skid marks, and any visible injuries you have. Images give a clear view of the crash and can help your attorney reconstruct the event and show the severity of the damages and injuries.
3. Witness Statements
Witnesses are invaluable in proving liability. If there were any witnesses to the accident, collect their contact information and ask them to provide written or verbal statements.
Witnesses who can corroborate your version of how the crash happened or who actually saw the events leading up to the crash can help your case by giving more credibility to your version of events.
4. Medical Records
Injuries sustained in a car accident are central to your claim, particularly when seeking compensation for medical expenses and pain and suffering. Keep a record of all medical treatment received in relation to your case: visits to the doctor, stays in the hospital, prescription medication, and rehabilitation.
The medical records will reveal how serious the injuries are and what is involved in recuperation to enable establishing liability between the accident and your injury.
5. Expert Testimony
Sometimes, when a fault is disputed, having the expert testimony of an accident reconstruction specialist may be quite helpful. Based on data from the scene, including vehicle damage, witness statements, and road conditions, the professional reconstructs how the accident happened. Their analysis will give a professional, scientifically-based opinion in support of your claim.
Gathering and preserving such crucial pieces of evidence will increase your chances of getting a fair settlement for your claim in a car accident. It is always advisable to let an experienced attorney guide the process of claims and value the evidence properly.
