If you want to make a personal injury claim, it is down to you and your car accident injury lawyer to prove that the other party involved was negligent. Without any evidence, your case will look weak, and you may not get the compensation you deserve. And, in some cases, you might walk away with nothing.
This can cause enormous issues. Accidents and personal injury can cause incredible strains on your finances. And, if you don’t get any compensation at all, they can see you in hardship for many years to come.
It is essential, then, that you can collect quality evidence about your claim wherever possible. In today’s guide, I’m going to go through a few things you need to consider to protect your finances and get what you deserve.
Physical evidence
Physical evidence includes things like your medical records, witness statements, police reports and photographs. It’s important to preserve any physical records of your injuries if you want to pursue a successful claim. Of course, it can be tricky to take photos if you are in the midst of an accident, or have received severe injuries. But, the more evidence you collect, the better the outcome will be.
Gather the evidence
If you can take photos at the scene, do so. Photographic evidence can make a compelling case, and many claims are successful due to the sheer volume of proof they can provide. Photos should include clear pictures of your injuries, a picture of whatever caused your injury, and the incident area. For a car accident, make sure you take close up shots of any vehicle damage. Your personal injury lawyer will assess the pieces of evidence you’ve gathered and he/she will determine which ones can be used to support your claim.
Get witness statements
Witness statements can be tricky as many people won’t want to get involved. They are, however, powerful tools in providing the evidence you need to strengthen your case. Witnesses might be able to reveal information that you might have missed, or confirm that your version of events occurred. Given the nature of personal injury claims, it is far better to have backup than relying on your word against the other party’s word.
Spoiling of evidence
Unfortunately, some people may not want to hold up their hands and admit they are responsible for an accident. And, if there is evidence that goes against them, they may try to cover things up. For this reason, it is vital to hire a personal injury lawyer. An experienced personal injury lawyer will be able to serve the other party a spoliation notice, which will make it harder for them to claim accidental destruction. While it would be nice to think everyone out there is honest, it is not the case. And, with a spoliation notice in place, it will give you that little extra protection you might need.
Get your medical records
Ensure you have requested your medical records from your doctor. There should be paramedics reports, emergency room charts, and your physician’s diagnosis. If you can prove your injuries are all from the accident, it is compelling evidence that will be hard for the other party to defend.
Hope this helps if you are ever unfortunate enough to be in an accident. Stay safe!
