A car accident claim allows victims to file for compensation for the damages they’ve suffered in an accident. This includes medical bills, lost wages, and damage to property.
In order for this claim to be accepted in court, the right evidence has to be submitted.
Hiring attorneys specialized in car accident cases can ensure that the right evidence is collected. This increases the chances of getting the financial assistance you need.
Here are some tips on how you can collect evidence to strengthen your car accident claim.
Photos and Videos of the Scene
The first thing you can do after an accident, if you’re able to, is take photos of the scene. This provides evidence for the extent of damage. You should also take videos of the scene if possible.
If someone around you has taken videos or photos of the accident, you should ask them if they’d be willing to share them with you as evidence.
You should focus on the damage, like broken glass, dents, damage to the body of the car, tire marks on the road, etc. Taking photos of your injuries can also be helpful. If you are too injured to move, of course, the first thing you should do is make sure you get medical attention.
Witness Statements
The next thing you can do is talk to people at the scene. You should get their contact information so they can give their statements in court if needed.
Witness statements are an accepted form of evidence and serve to verify your story. They can describe the details of the accident and add information that may not have been available through other sources, etc.
Getting the contact information of witnesses can be useful later on when your lawyer does their own investigation. Witnesses can be valuable for countering arguments made by the defense.
Police Report
You are required by law to report accidents to the police. They will conduct their own investigation of the accident and write up a report. This is typically available at the nearest precinct to the accident and anyone can ask for one. Police reports are another form of evidence that is accepted in court.
The reports typically contain information about the accident, including the location, details of what was found at the scene, the injuries victims sustained, contact information of those involved, and so on. It may also contain samples of evidence collected from the scene and results from any related tests that were conducted, such as blood test reports.
Medical Records
The last thing that you can use to support your accident claim is your medical records. These include things like doctor’s notes, prescriptions, bills for surgery, and other expenses. These documents indicate what injuries you had, how much they cost you, what kind of treatment you underwent, and how long the recovery period is expected to be.
When taken right after an accident, medical records also serve to connect your injuries to the accident. This gives you a defense against the at-fault party and prevents them from saying that the injuries were not caused by the accident.
Conclusion
Car accidents happen every day across the country and cost thousands of dollars to deal with. They can lead to extensive damage both in terms of property and life.
In order for victims to claim adequate compensation for the damages they’ve suffered, it’s important to collect the right evidence. This includes photos and videos of the scene, witness statements, police reports, and medical records, among other things.
A lawyer can assist you in gathering the right evidence to support your claim, which is why it’s important to hire one if you find yourself in an accident.
