It isn’t easy to stay calm after a car accident and think ahead about filing a claim for compensation for your injuries and damages. In fact, if the injuries are serious, you must first get medical help. However, if you are able to do so, or if occupants in your car are able to do so, begin taking steps towards car accident evidence preservation. Collecting important evidence can help you maximize compensation recovery.
When you file a car accident claim for compensation, you are required to submit evidence related to the accident. That includes evidence of what caused the accident, the damage to your car, your injuries, and other damages you suffered.
Having solid and substantial evidence will make it easier for you to file your claim for compensation. It also makes it much more difficult for the insurance company to deny or delay your claim or offer you a low settlement when presented with documentation of fault and your damages.
Thus, car accident evidence preservation should be on your mind after your accident, right after checking if anybody needs medical attention and moving out of the way of traffic.
Get the contact information of the other motorist.
Next, take photographs. Photographs can do a lot to help substantiate your claim. Take photographs of the car accident scene, including pictures of the road. Extensively photograph any damage to your vehicle. Take pictures from different angles. If there was an anomaly at the scene of the accident, like a damaged stretch of road, or a missing traffic sign, or another hazard, take pictures of these as well. If you were injured in the accident, take photographs of your injury before treatment.
Third, make sure you get medical care. On that note, get medical care even if you didn’t require it at the scene and even if you don’t feel injured. Some injuries may not manifest right away, and seeing a doctor can be an important part of car accident evidence preservation, as it allows you to start documenting your injuries.
Retain medical records of all your visits.
Keep a log of all the days missed from work as a result of your injuries, and maintain a file that contains estimates of all your auto repair bills.
Fourth, get a copy of the police report. Don’t forget to call the police when you are involved in an accident. The biggest advantage of having the police at the accident scene is the filing of a police report. A report is a substantial piece of evidence in your accident claim. If the police cite the other driver for driving under the influence of alcohol or speeding, for example, it can help establish fault.
Finally, get witness information. Obtain the name and information of witnesses at the scene of the accident, including their addresses, email addresses, telephone numbers, and other contact details. They can provide testimony regarding what caused the wreck.
Take all these pieces of evidence with you when you go to discuss your claim with a lawyer. Your attorney can even help you with the preservation of evidence from a car accident. In fact, your lawyer may help you secure expert testimony if your case would benefit from it.
A car accident lawyer in Dallas Julie Johnson helps accident victims recover compensation for their damages. Call 214-290-8001 or use the form on our contact page to schedule an appointment today!
