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Preserving and Protecting Evidence in a Car Accident Case

If liability is in dispute, there could be a gap between the insurance company’s offer and the true extent of your injuries. This is especially true when your insurance company claims that you are responsible for something other than negligence as the reason for the accident.

During this period your team will request for information from the opposing side through interrogatories and depositions. These questions will be asked of the other driver, witnesses and others.

Preserving Evidence

The evidence you’ve collected after a car accident may boost your chances of winning a settlement or recover damages. This is why it is crucial to preserve and protect the evidence you collect after an accident.

With the advancement of technology, this is now easier than ever before. Your smartphone can be used to take high-quality pictures and video of the scene of the crash. Using these tools can help gather important evidence that might otherwise be lost or destroyed.

The crash site itself as well as witnesses are among the most important evidence. In the ideal scenario, you should take a photo of the scene as it was prior to the collision. This includes all vehicles involved in a crash, any skidmarks on the road, the conditions of the weather, traffic signs, and other factors that are relevant.

Additionally, you should consider contacting any businesses or companies who are located near the crash area to request they preserve any evidence relevant to your car accident case. If you were struck by a vehicle and demanded that its black box be preserved, it could prove useful to your claim.

You might also find it helpful to request the testing of the other driver if you suspect that they were reckless or on drugs. The tests could show that the driver was intoxicated or distracted which could be a strong indication of their negligence in causing an accident.

Documenting your injuries

Documentation is essential in personal injury cases. Not only will this ensure that your healthcare provider is aware of the symptoms, but it will also assist your attorney to prove your losses and damages in a lawsuit against the party responsible for negligence.

One of the most important types of documentation is medical records. Whenever you visit your doctor for treatment following an accident, make sure you be provided with copies of each document. These records will be official documents describing your injuries, symptoms, and diagnoses. These records will also document the costs you incurred as a result of the accident. This is important as a lot of these expenses are reimbursed as part of your compensation claim.

Keep a diary of your physical and emotional state following the incident. This should include any pain you experience, what parts of your body are affected and the exact time that pain occurs. It is also essential to document any mental trauma you might be dealing with, as juries will often give non-economic damages for this type.

It is also useful to take pictures of your injuries, as well as the scene of the crash when you are able. These could include images of your vehicle, any other vehicles involved in the crash, and any damage that may be caused to other objects (such as a building or sign). It is recommended to take several photos of each object at different angles so that the investigators can see the exact cause of the crash.


Collecting Witness Statements

Ideally, witness testimony should be collected as soon as possible after an accident. It is important to keep in mind that people’s memories fade over time, so it’s best to request witnesses to give their statements as soon as they are able. The more specific a statement is, the better. It’s also recommended that any interview with a witness be recorded (with their permission, of course) because this will assist in ensuring a precise version of what they experienced.

You should also search for witnesses who are not in the immediate vicinity of your accident. For example, you might consider asking those working at local businesses if they witnessed your car accident. This could result in footage of your accident being filmed on a security camera in a store.

You should also ensure that any statements made by witnesses do not include thoughts, feelings, or guesses regarding the outcomes of the accident or expressing sympathy towards the other victims. These statements can hurt your credibility, especially if they are contradicted by other witnesses. You should avoid asking for testimony from any person who knows the person who is at fault for your injuries or has a connection with their employer, as they could attempt to influence your claim to the benefit of the company they represent. You may not get the compensation that you need if this is the case.

Contacting auto accident attorney durham

When evaluating an attorney think about whether they have the resources to conduct comprehensive investigations into your crash. This could mean examining the scene of the crash in person and interviewing witnesses and acquiring other documentation of the incident and your injuries.

After reviewing all the documents, your attorney will start the negotiation process for settlement with insurance companies for the driver who was at fault. This is done to ensure that you receive an equitable settlement without the need for an appeal. Your attorney may have to talk with the insurance company a number of times before a settlement is reached.

The severity of your accident will have a significant impact on the amount of compensation that you receive. Severe injuries can lead to more expensive medical bills and lasting effects, requiring more intense care. Certain victims of car accidents may require surgery to correct the long-term damage to their injuries. These costs would be included in the total amount of your economic damages.

Your lawyer will also take into account the medical needs of your future and the lower quality of life your injuries have wrought. For example, if you are permanently injured in a crash that results in the need to renovate your home to allow you to access all areas, the cost of doing this could be a part of your non-economic damages.