Preserving and Protecting Evidence in a Car Accident Case
In cases where the insurance company contests the liability of the other party, there could be a significant gap between their claim and your actual damages. This is especially true if the insurance company is blaming something other than negligence as the reason for your accident.
During this time the team will seek information from the other party through depositions and interrogatories. These questions will be posed to the driver who was driving, as witnesses.
Preserving Evidence
The evidence you've collected in a car accident could increase your chances of obtaining settlements or recover damages. This is why it's essential to keep and safeguard any evidence that you have after a crash.
It's now more simple than ever before to do this, thanks to the advancements in technology. Smartphones can be used to capture high-quality pictures and video of the scene of the crash. Making use of these tools will help gather important evidence that might otherwise be lost or destroyed.
The crash site itself and witnesses are among the most crucial pieces of evidence. Ideally, you should try to capture the scene of the accident as it existed right after the collision. This includes all vehicles involved in a collision, any skidmarks on the road, the conditions of the weather and traffic signs, as well as other relevant factors.
Additionally, you should consider reaching out to any businesses or organizations located near the accident area to request they keep any evidence that might be relevant to your car accident case. If you were struck by a vehicle and requested that its black box be preserved this could be beneficial in your claim.
It may also be useful to request a drug test of the other driver if you suspect they were reckless or on drugs. These tests could demonstrate that they were intoxicated or distracted while driving, which could be strong evidence of their negligence in causing the accident.
Documenting your injuries
Documentation is vital in personal injury cases. Not only does this ensure that your healthcare provider is aware of your symptoms, but it will also assist your attorney in proving your losses and damages in a lawsuit against the liable party for negligence.
One of the most essential forms of documentation is medical records. Ask for copies of all records whenever you visit your doctor for treatment following an accident. These records are used to detail your injuries, symptoms, and diagnoses. They will also record the expenses you have incurred because of the accident. This is important because a large portion of these expenses can be reimbursed as part of your compensation claim.
It is also a good idea to keep a diary of your mental and physical state following the accident. auto accident attorneys berkeley should include any pain you experience as well as the parts of your body are affected, and the exact time that pain occurs. In addition, if you're experiencing any emotional trauma, it's vital to record this also, since juries usually make awards of non-economic damages for this type of suffering.
It is also beneficial to take photographs of your injuries and the scene of the crash if you can. These could include images of your vehicle, any other vehicles involved in the collision, and any damage that might have been caused to other objects (such as an object or a sign). It is recommended that you 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 a perfect world, witnesses' statements should be collected as quickly as possible after an accident. It's important to keep in mind that people's memories fade over time, so it's best to get witnesses to give their statements as soon as possible. The more detail you can provide the more details you can provide, the better. It is also recommended to record any interview with a witnesses (with their consent and, of course, their consent) as this will aid in ensuring that the testimony of the witness is accurate.
It is also worthwhile to look for witnesses outside the immediate vicinity of your crash. You could ask local business owners if they were there to witness your accident. This could result in footage of your accident being recorded on a security camera at a store.
You should also make sure that any statements made by witnesses do not contain thoughts, feelings, or guesses about the outcome of the accident or expressing sympathy towards the other victims involved. These statements could be detrimental to your credibility, particularly when they're contradicted by a witness. Avoid asking anyone who knows the person who caused your injuries, or who works for their employer to give evidence. They may try and influence your claim for the company they represent. If this is the case, you may not be able to receive the compensation you need.
Contacting an attorney
When evaluating an attorney think about whether they have the resources to conduct in-depth investigations of your crash. This could involve visiting the site of the crash, speaking with witnesses and gathering other documentation about the crash and your injuries.
Once your attorney has viewed all the documentation they could collect, they will begin negotiations for a settlement with the insurance company of the at-fault driver. This is to ensure that you get a fair settlement, without having to go through an appeal. Your attorney may have to negotiate with the insurance provider multiple times before an agreement can be reached.
The severity of your injuries will play an important influence on the amount of compensation you receive. Injuries that are severe can lead to larger medical bills and longer-lasting consequences that require more comprehensive medical attention. Some car accident victims may need surgery to correct the long-term damage to their injuries. These costs would be included in the total cost of your damages.
Your attorney will also take into consideration the medical needs of your future and the diminished quality of your life due to your injuries. If you've been permanently injured in an accident that required you to renovate your home to make it accessible to all of it, you can include the cost of this in your non-economic losses.