How to Gather Evidence for Your Accident Case

An accident reconstruction specialist can increase the value of your claim by analyzing the forces involved in the accident. They can also provide insights into your injuries and quantify the damages you have sustained.

You'll need to provide documentation of your damages including medical expenses and other out-of-pocket costs. This evidence should be gathered immediately following the accident.

Need Help

If you're involved in a car crash and require medical attention, seeking immediate medical attention should always be your top priority. If you're in good enough health to take this step, it is important to gather all the information you can at the scene of the accident.

Utilize the camera or video feature of your phone to capture photographs of the vehicles involved. Take photos of the skid marks, damages, and any other information you think could be helpful. If anyone was present on the scene to give you their contact information as well as a brief description of what they saw. Be careful not to disclose any personal information regarding your insurance coverage or policy limits.

Also, look for any cameras in the area that may have recorded the incident, such as red light or security cameras. You can then request copies of the footage by calling the person that operated the cameras.

Documenting the expenses you incur is a vital step. In some instances you can claim compensation for the amount you've spent on things like a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired, or a ride to and from work when you are recovering from injuries. You can also seek compensation for wages lost in the past as well as in the future if your injuries limit or prevent your earnings in future.

Keep the track of all medical expenses related to the accident. If your injuries cause a permanent disability, it may be possible to claim damages in order to cover future medical expenses. This could include home modifications and assistive devices that let you to remain at the home or at work. You may also be eligible to claim compensation for other financial losses, such as the cost of the care of a family member or replacement services when your injuries stop you from completing these tasks on your own.

Gathering Evidence

In any case of accident the first step is to gather as many evidence as you can. State-by-state rules for presenting evidence in courtrooms can differ. However, certain kinds of evidence are beneficial in almost all accidents.

Witness Testimony

Eyewitness testimony is vital in accident cases. It is a factual account of the incident to help determine the source of the fault. There are many witnesses, including pedestrians, drivers of nearby cars and even family members or friends. They might have a mobile on their person that could be used to record their statement or simply write a report.

Photographic Evidence

Photographs of the scene of the accident are the most evident photographic evidence. These can include skid marks on the road, broken glass and damage to both vehicles involved in the collision. It can also include environmental factors, such as traffic signals or construction sites, that might contribute to the crash.

Police Reports

The police reports generated following any motor vehicle accident are crucial for a lawsuit involving a car accident. These reports could include the officer's report on who was responsible for the accident, as the traffic infractions that either driver committed. It is important to obtain an exact copy of this report as quickly as you can, or at the very least while it's being written, so that you have an opportunity to check the accuracy of the information.

Contact Information for Witnesses

It's a good idea collect as much information from witnesses who might have witnessed the incident. You can request their names and contact details to enable your lawyer to speak with them about what they saw during the accident as well as in its immediate aftermath.

Medical Records

If you're injured as a result of a car accident, it's important to keep track of all medical appointments. These records will help document the injuries you've suffered and help your legal team to calculate the amount of compensation you're entitled to for the damages you've sustained.

Documenting your injuries

If you're able to do so without jeopardizing your health, it's crucial to take photographs and videos of the accident scene. You can draw realistic images of the accident scene by using your smartphone or a camera that you have attached to your vehicle. The photos should include visible injuries and damage from the accident. It is important to keep track of any skid marks, road conditions and other information that could aid in forming a more precise image of the accident.

Even if you think your injuries aren't serious you should seek medical treatment as soon after the accident as possible. A variety of injuries, including neck and spinal issues, can develop within a few days or weeks of the accident. The earlier you visit an expert doctor, the more reliable evidence you can use to prove that your injury and losses are directly related to the accident.

In addition, you should keep track of all your medical treatment and expenses. Keep receipts for prescriptions, equipment and travel costs to and from medical appointments, since they are all eligible expenses that you may be able recover compensation for. Keep a log or diary about your injury, including the symptoms you are experiencing. This will allow you to document your daily pain.

Providing the police with an accurate description of what transpired at the scene will be essential, but it's recommended to take down names and contact details for witnesses, too. The witnesses may be able to provide additional details which will assist the police in their investigation and in the event that you need to submit an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit in the future.

In addition to the official police report, you must be sure to get an exact copy of the crash report from the at-fault party's insurance company. This report will be useful in determining liability for the crash and any related damages, like property damage, medical bills, lost wages and other expenses that are able to be compensated.

Negotiating with the Insurance Company

If you're dealing directly with a large insurance company after an accident, it's always wise to retain an experienced attorney. These lawyers can negotiate greater settlements as well as deal with insurance adjusters on your behalf.

Your lawyer will require financial documents from your employer as well as bank accounts to show the impact of your injury on your earnings. They will also ask for medical records from your physicians to support your injury claim. You might be required to take part in an interview or give a deposition on the incident to get an official record. They will then go through all evidence and consult with experts to determine the worth of your non-economic losses.

After gathering all the required information and preparing a letter of demand that is to be sent to the insurance company that is at the fault. The document will detail the facts of the case and legal reasons as to why the insured is liable under NY law, and then make an offer of compensation. The insurance company is likely to respond with an offer of a small amount. Your lawyer will help you in deciding whether to accept, decline or go back to negotiations the counteroffer.

You should be cautious when dealing with the insurance company since what you say could damage your case. Don't admit to fault or swear to not to sue. This could be used later in court against you. It is also important to not make any claims regarding your injuries or the way the accident occurred, as these could be twisted around to reduce your claim.

An experienced Long Island car accident lawyer can assist you through the insurance company's negotiations. They'll be able review the offer made and help you determine how much you're entitled to in terms of financial compensation and the medical treatment or other costs you'll require in the future.

Insurance companies can be difficult and will employ a variety of strategies to convince you accept a lower price. Be assertive in negotiations and remember that any settlement must be written. This will stop an unprofessional adjuster from stating something over the phone and then not denying it later.