A An Overview Of Auto Accident Claim From Start To Finish
Preserving and Protecting Evidence in a Car Accident Case
In cases where liability is disputed, there could be a significant gap between the insurance company's claim and the full extent of your injuries. This is especially true if the insurance company is blaming the negligence of someone else for the accident.
During this period, your team will request information from the other side through interrogatories and depositions. These questions will be put to the other driver as witnesses.
Preserving Evidence
In the event of a car accident the evidence you possess can significantly increase the chances of obtaining an award and recovering damages. This is why it is important to keep and safeguard every piece of evidence following an accident.
Thanks to modern technology, this is easier than ever before. You can use your smartphone to take high-quality photos and videos of the scene. These tools can be used to capture evidence that otherwise would be lost or destroyed.
The crash site itself as well as any witnesses are the most crucial pieces of evidence. It is important to record the scene of the accident shortly after the collision. This could comprise all vehicles involved in the accident, any skid marks on the road, weather conditions, traffic signals and other factors.
It is also advisable to contact local businesses to ask them to preserve any evidence relevant to your case. If you were struck by a vehicle and requested that the black box be preserved it could be helpful to your claim.
If you suspect that the other driver was under the influence of drugs or negligent, asking for their drug tests could also be helpful in your case. These tests could reveal that the driver was intoxicated or distracted which could be a clear indication of their negligence for the cause of an accident.
Documenting your injuries
In personal injury cases, thorough documentation is crucial. This will not only guarantee that your healthcare provider is informed about your injuries but also assist your lawyer demonstrate your damages and losses when making a negligence claim against the person who is responsible.
One of the most important types of documentation is medical records. When you visit your physician for treatment after an accident, request to be given copies of every record. These records will help provide information about your injuries, symptoms, and diagnoses. They will also record the costs you incurred as a result of the accident. This is crucial since a lot of these costs can be refunded as part of your compensation claim.
Keep a diary of your physical and emotional condition following the accident. This should include any pain you feel as well as the parts of your body are affected, and the time when the pain is felt. In addition, if you're experiencing mental trauma, it is vital to record this too, since juries typically make awards of non-economic damages for this kind of suffering.
If you're able you are able, it would be helpful to get photographs of your injuries as well as the scene of the crash. You can take photographs of the vehicle you're driving, any other vehicles that were involved in the collision as well as any other damages to objects (such an object, a building, or a sign). It is advisable to take multiple photos of each object from various angles so that the investigators can see the exact cause of the accident.
Collecting Witness Statements
In an ideal world, witnesses' statements should be obtained as soon as possible following an accident. Keep in mind that people's memories fade with time. It is best to have witnesses give their statements as quickly as they can. The more specific a statement is, the more accurate. It is also recommended to record any interview with witnesses (with their consent obviously) in order to aid in ensuring that the witness's statement is true.
It's also worth searching for witnesses outside the immediate area of your accident. For instance, you could need to ask those who work in local businesses whether they witnessed your car accident. This could lead to footage of your crash on the security camera of a store which could be helpful in your case.
It's also worth ensuring that any statements made by prospective witnesses do not contain guesses, opinions or feelings about the result of your accident, or feelings of sympathy for the other victims involved in the collision. These statements could be damaging to your credibility, especially when they are contradicted by a different witness. It is best to avoid requesting evidence from anyone who knows the person who is at blame for your injuries, or has a connection with their employer, as they may attempt to influence your claim to the benefit of the company they represent. If this is the case, you may not be able get the compensation you require.
Contacting an attorney
Check if an attorney is able to conduct an exhaustive investigation into the accident. auto accident lawyer garden grove could include examining the crash scene in person as well as conducting interviews with witnesses and acquiring other documentation of the crash and your injuries.
After reviewing all the documents Your attorney will then begin negotiations for settlement with the insurance company for the driver at fault. The goal is to negotiate an equitable settlement without the need for a trial. Your attorney can discuss with the insurance company a number of times before reaching an agreement.
The severity of your injuries will play a significant influence on the amount of compensation you receive. Injuries that are severe can lead to higher medical costs and more long-lasting consequences that require more comprehensive treatment. A few victims of car accidents might require surgery to repair long-term injury damage. These expenses will be included in your total financial loss.
Your attorney will also take into consideration your future medical needs and the diminished quality of your life that your injuries have caused. For example, if you are permanently injured in a crash that resulted in the necessity of re-designing your home so you can access all areas of it as well as the expense of doing this could be a part of your non-economic damages.