Gathering Evidence to Support Your Car Accident Claim
In the United States, there are over six million car accidents every year. In these car accidents, roughly three million people are injured. In some cases, these accidents are fatal.
If you have insurance and don’t suffer any injuries, moving forward is simple. You can file a car accident claim with your insurance company and an adjuster will come out to assess the damage to your vehicle. From there, you’ll receive compensation to make repairs or buy a new vehicle based on your policy.
Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident can be a complex and challenging process, especially if there are severe injuries, emotional trauma, or fatalities involved. You should be aware of auto accident settlement timeline to avoid losing your right to seek compensation.
So, what evidence or paperwork do you need to present when filing a car accident claim? What are your legal options?
But what if your claim isn’t straightforward? What if you received severe injuries or emotional trauma during the wreck. What if someone you cared about died?
We are here to answer your questions. Keep reading to learn about the evidence you need to collect to support your car accident claim.
Photographic Evidence
Provided you’re able to do so, take pictures and videos of the scene of the accident. Take pictures of your vehicle and the other motorist’s vehicle to document the damages. This includes interior and exterior shots.
We also recommend taking pictures of the surrounding area to capture evidence of tire marks, torn-up landscaping, damaged signs, etc. The more evidence you have, the better.
Take wide-angle shots to depict the vehicles’ positions, road conditions, traffic signals, and relevant road signs, establishing the accident’s overall context. Use the date and time stamp feature on your camera or smartphone if possible, which is crucial for documenting the immediate aftermath of the accident.
Photograph any interior vehicle damage, such as deployed airbags, broken glass, or damaged seats, to provide additional evidence of the collision’s severity. Capture clear images of the involved vehicles’ license plates, make, and model to help identify the parties involved. If weather conditions played a role in the accident (e.g., rain, snow, fog), consider taking weather photos at the accident’s time.
Whether you’re facing car accident lawsuit in Baltimore or dealing with an insurance claim in another city, clear visual evidence is crucial. Pro Tip: Take as many photos as possible. It’s better to have too many than not enough. And don’t forget to back them up to a safe location, like cloud storage or your computer. Your photos can speak volumes, even when your memory might falter. So, take a few minutes to document the scene – it could make all the difference in getting the compensation you deserve.
Witness Testimonies
In some cases, witness testimonies are vital to your car accident claim. This includes your passengers and people on the street who witnessed the accident.
They can provide important details from a third-party perspective about what happened. For example, if the other motorist was on the phone or otherwise distracted, you can prove that the accident wasn’t your fault.
Talk to witnesses at the scene and write down what they tell you they saw. It’s also important to get their name and contact information if you end up filing a personal injury lawsuit.
It’s important to be polite and respectful when approaching witnesses. Thank them for their time and cooperation.
However, if you couldn’t gather witness statements at the scene, you wouldn’t have to worry. An experienced attorney can often track down witnesses later on and obtain their valuable testimony.
Police Reports
Police reports are essential for any car accident case. When the authorities show up to make their report and help you and the other motorist, get their name and badge number. You need to know what officer showed up at the scene of the accident so you can ascertain their official report.
This is one of the most important pieces of evidence for your car accident claim. Otherwise, it’s your word against the other motorist’s word.
When obtaining a police report following a car accident, carefully scrutinize its contents. Be mindful of the filing date to gauge the report’s timeliness. If you discover errors or discrepancies, contact the police department for corrections and consider seeking legal advice if the report significantly misrepresents the accident’s details, potentially impacting insurance claims and legal proceedings.
You can typically request a copy of the report from the police department that responded to the accident. There might be a small fee, but it’s a worthwhile investment for the peace of mind it provides.
If you didn’t call the police at the scene, it’s not the end of the world. While a police report is helpful, it’s not the only evidence you can use to support your claim. The photos, witness statements, and medical records you’ve gathered are still valuable.
Medical Records
If you were injured in the accident, you must see a doctor as soon as possible. They can assess your injuries and make an official medical record of your case. This medical documentation will be necessary if you want to increase your car accident settlement based on your injuries.
Legal Representation and Documentation
Finally, reach out to a car accident attorney to help you organize your evidence and pursue a car accident settlement. They can guide you through the process while providing expert legal counsel.
Just as importantly, they’ll work with you to identify your damages which might include:
- Physical injuries
- Mental and emotional trauma
- Loss of wages
- Property damages
- Quality of life damages
- And more
They’ll help you determine which damages you should pursue and how much each of them is worth. If you were hit by a semi-truck or other commercial vehicle, view this truck accident lawyer.
Are You Looking to File a Car Accident Claim?
No matter how big or small your car accident was, we recommend working with a personal injury lawyer to make sure you’re best interests are met. Follow the guide above to collect all the evidence you need to file a car accident claim.
And if you’re looking for more lifestyle advice or legal tips, stick around. Check out some of our other articles to find more information that can help you improve your life.
