Every car accident claim needs a strong foundation of evidence to establish fault for the crash and show the extent of the damages you or your loved one suffered. There are many types of evidence to collect and there’s really no such thing as “too much evidence” as long as it contributes positive, relevant information to your claim.
Physical evidence from the accident comes in many forms. First is pictures and video, which have become increasingly easier to gather thanks to camera phones. You or someone at the scene should take photos of the area, any damaged property, the vehicles involved, and your injuries. Also see if there are any nearby buildings with outside surveillance cameras that may have captured the crash on video.
Your damaged vehicle and property is also an important type of physical evidence. When your vehicle is towed away from the accident scene, find out exactly where it is going and instruct the towing company to keep it intact until it can be examined. In cases where a defective vehicle part
is suspected to have caused a crash, an expert mechanic may need to examine the wreckage to make that assessment.
Your injuries are also an important part of your physical evidence. Your medical records should be able to properly record your injuries and medical damages (discussed below). However, help build up your medical evidence by keeping a pain journal, detailing your daily struggles – emotional and physical – as you recover and cope with your injuries.
Many types of paperwork are important pieces of evidence for a car accident claim. A police report should be available if you reported the crash to police. The report will list the basic details of the crash from the officer’s perspective and also mention any traffic citations given to any of the parties involved.
The police report may also contain the contact information for any witnesses to your accident. Even so, take the time to collect the names and phone numbers of anyone who witnessed your crash so they can give testimony to the insurance company when necessary. Your attorney may contact the eyewitnesses so they can present their testimony in your accident claim.
Finally, your medical records are important documents to your car accident case. The insurance adjuster should be given a copy of your medical records pertaining to your injuries and treatment for those injuries. They do not need access to your full medical history.
Make sure you keep copies of all:
• medical bills;
• receipts for repairs;
• receipts for replacements of damaged properties; and
• invoices for any personal services or medical assistance.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, When you are collecting these important pieces of evidence, a car accident attorney can be of assistance in tracking down and preserving some of the more difficult parts of your case. Contact a local attorney for help with your car accident claim.
