What evidence do you need after motor vehicle accidents to give a car accident attorney the information required to build a strong case? During or after a calamity is not the best time to try figuring that out.
Motor vehicle accidents can be life-altering and leave victims with severe injuries, emotional trauma, and financial burdens. However, building a strong case requires gathering the right evidence.
Why Evidence Matters in Motor Vehicle Accidents
Insurance companies often attempt to minimize payouts by disputing fault, downplaying injuries, or questioning the legitimacy of claims. Yet, well-documented evidence can establish fault and liability, demonstrate the severity of your injuries and damages, and support your case that goes to trial.
Without the right evidence, your chances of receiving fair compensation diminish significantly. Strengthen your negotiation power against insurance companies with a car accident attorney.
What Evidence a Car Accident Attorney Needs
Gathering evidence at the scene of the accident is critical. Your car accident attorney needs as much information and cooperation as possible to help build a strong case on your behalf. Take pictures of the vehicles, road conditions, traffic signals, skid marks, and visible injuries to capture the scene and provide context for the wreck.
Detailed photos of the damage can help show the severity of the impact and corroborate claims about how the accident occurred. Also, document any debris, weather conditions, or road hazards that may have contributed to the car accident.
Remember, filing a police report provides an official third-party account of the accident. It often includes statements from drivers and witnesses, the officer’s assessment of fault or contributing factors, and citations issued to any involved party. You can request a copy of the police report as soon as it becomes available.
Testimonies, Records, and Footage
Eyewitnesses can offer unbiased perspectives about the events leading to the car accident. So, obtain contact information from anyone who saw it and ask for a written or recorded statement to give to your car accident attorney.
Nearby businesses, traffic cameras, or dash cams may have also captured the accident. Check for surveillance footage that provides objective time-stamped evidence to prove liability. Act quickly to request this footage because it’s often erased or overwritten soon after the accident. Then, give the footage, testimonies, and statements to your legal team for processing.
If the crash caused injuries requiring medical attention, emergency room reports with the initial diagnosis and treatments should be collected, and evidence of rehabilitation surgeries or therapy sessions should be gathered. You can also ask for doctor’s notes and statements connecting your injuries to the accident or outlining your prognosis.
TIP: Be consistent in seeking medical treatment since insurance companies can use gaps in care to argue your injuries aren’t severe enough for compensation.
Mistakes to Avoid When Gathering Car Accident Evidence
Collecting motor vehicle accident evidence is crucial, but so is avoiding these common pitfalls that can weaken your case:
- Delayed medical treatment
- Failing to document pain and suffering
- Overlooking essential witnesses
- Ignoring procedural deadlines
- Hiring the wrong car accident attorney
Navigating the aftermath of motor vehicle accidents can be overwhelming, especially while dealing with injuries and financial stress. Knowing what to do after a collision can also be tricky since each case has unique circumstances. That’s where the support of a car accident attorney from Herren Adams can make a difference.
Our team will thoroughly investigate the accident to uncover all relevant evidence, secure expert witnesses to support your claim, handle negotiations with insurance companies, and represent you in court if a fair settlement can’t be reached.
Hire a Motor Vehicle Accidents Attorney
If you or someone you love has been involved in a motor vehicle accident, don’t wait to seek legal assistance. The clock is ticking, and evidence can fade with time. Contact Herren Adams today for a consultation. Our dedicated car accident attorneys will help you gather the evidence to build a strong case and fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
