Preserving and Protecting Evidence in a Car Accident Case
In the event that liability is not clear, there could be a large gap between the insurance company's offer and the extent of your injuries. This is particularly true when the insurance company blames the cause of your crash on some other factor than your negligence.
During this period the team will be asking for information from the opposing party through interrogatories and depositions. These questions will be asked of the other driver, witnesses and others.
Conserving Evidence
The evidence you have in a car accident could increase your chances of obtaining settlement or receive damages. It is crucial to keep and protect any evidence that you have after an accident.
Thanks to modern technology, this is now easier than ever before. Smartphones can be used to take high-quality pictures and videos of the scene of the accident. Making use of these tools will help record important evidence that would otherwise be lost or destroyed.
The most crucial pieces evidence include the actual accident site and witnesses. Ideally, you should try to capture the scene of the accident as it was in the immediate aftermath of the collision. This includes all vehicles involved in a collision or any skidmarks left on the road, the weather conditions, traffic signs, and other important factors.
You may also want to contact nearby businesses to ask them to keep any evidence relevant to your case. For instance, if you were hit by a truck and you want to request that the black truck's box be preserved could prove valuable to your claim.
It may also be helpful to request the testing of the other driver if you suspect that they were reckless or on drugs. These tests can prove that they were drunk or distracted when driving, which would be evidence of their fault for causing the accident.
Documenting auto accident attorney lakeland is crucial in personal injury cases. This will not only ensure that your healthcare provider is aware about your symptoms, but also help your lawyer show your losses and damages in a negligence case against the person who is responsible.
Medical records are among the most important kinds of documents. Whenever you visit your doctor for treatment following an accident, ask to be given copies of every document. These records will serve to explain your injuries, symptoms, and diagnoses. Additionally, these documents detail any expenses that you have incurred in the aftermath of your accident. This is important because a large portion of these expenses can be reimbursed as part of your compensation claim.
Keep a record of your physical and mental state after the incident. This should include the type of pain you experience and where it happens, and how long it lasts. It is also essential to record any mental trauma you may be experiencing, since juries typically make a decision to award non-economic damages for this type.
If you are able, it is also helpful to take pictures of your injuries and the scene of the crash. These could include images of your vehicle, other vehicles involved in the crash, and any damage that might have been done to other objects (such as signs or buildings). It is recommended to capture several photographs of each object from different angles and distances, so that investigators can clearly determine the accident's root cause.
Collecting Witness Statements
In the ideal scenario, witnesses' statements should be obtained as quickly as possible following an accident. Keep in mind that memory loss occurs with time. It is best to get witnesses to give their statements as soon as they can. The more specific a statement, the more precise. It is also recommended to record any interview with a witnesses (with their consent, of course) as this will aid in ensuring that the witness's account is accurate.
You should also search for witnesses that aren't in the immediate vicinity of the accident. For instance, you might need to ask those working at local businesses whether they were witnesses to your car accident. This could result in footage of your accident being recorded on a security camera of a shop.
It's also important to make sure that any statements from potential witnesses do not include speculations or opinions regarding the outcome of your accident or sympathy for you or other victims who were involved in the collision. These statements can hurt your credibility, especially when they're contradicted by other witnesses. Avoid asking anyone who is familiar with the person responsible for your injuries, or works for their employer to give evidence. These individuals may attempt to influence your claim on behalf of the company they represent. If this is the case, you might not be able to receive the compensation you need.
Contacting an Attorney
When evaluating an attorney consider whether they have the resources to conduct thorough investigations into the circumstances of your crash. This could involve visiting the site of the crash, speaking with witnesses and gathering other documentation about the accident and your injuries.
After reviewing all the documentation Your attorney will then begin the negotiation process of settlement with insurance companies for the driver who was at fault. This is done to ensure that you receive a fair settlement, without having to go through a trial. Your attorney could negotiate with the insurance company multiple times before reaching an agreement.
The severity of your injuries will play an important influence on the amount of compensation you receive. A serious injury can result in greater medical expenses and lasting effects, which require more intensive treatment. For instance, some car accident victims may require surgery to correct long-term injuries caused by an accident. These costs will be included in the economic damages.
Your lawyer will also consider your future medical needs as well as the reduced quality of life your injuries have caused. If you were permanently injured in an accident that required you to modify your home in order to be able to access all parts of it, you can count the cost of this in your non-economic damages.