Personal Injury Lawyer
There are 5 key pieces of evidence in personal injury cases that are imperative to obtaining a successful outcome in your case. Although this article only lists 5 pieces of evidence, there is plenty more evidence that can and likely will be obtained. Hiring a trusted attorney to help you obtain this evidence is critical to a favorable resolution.
- Police Report
The police report is critical in every personal injury case because it includes an officer’s narrative regarding who is at fault for the accident. Unfortunately, there are times when the police report is not clear as to whether to who is at fault for the accident. Depending on the state you live in, there may be different ways to calculate damages if both parties are considered at fault for the accident. The police report also includes information regarding both parties’ insurance information. Insurance information is important as it helps to submit a claim with the other party’s insurance company.
- Pictures and Videos
As soon as the crash occurs, photos and videos should be taken of both vehicle and bodily injuries. Depending on your health at the time of the accident, it may be necessary to have bystanders or a passenger take pictures or videos. More importantly, it is imperative that you keep a picture journal of your injuries starting from the accident date. As your injuries heal and your body changes, continue to take pictures so that progress can be progress or worsening can be seen. Property damage pictures are also an important component as it provides the insurance company or a jury with the severity of the crash.
- Medical Records and Bills
Whether you went to the ER by ambulance or you simply needed some adjusting by a chiropractor, it is important that your medical records detail the accident and how you were feeling after it occurred. Medical records help to provide a causal connection to the accident and provide a narrative from a doctor that your injuries were related to the crash, and not something else. Keeping a medical journal along with obtaining medical records can help keep your injuries and treatment organized as time passes since the accident. Medical bills are important in that they provide the insurance company or a jury with information as to how much the defendant should pay you for damages.
- Lost Wage Evidence
After an accident, it is not uncommon to miss work due to injuries. Whether you punch the clock at work or are self-employed, there is evidence that can be obtained. If you are self-employed it is usually a good idea to obtain your taxes for the past few years in order to establish how much you make. You may also prove this using bank statements. If you are employed by someone else, you can obtain records from your clock-ins or through a payroll company showing the time you missed work. Given that lost wages are recoverable by accident victims, these records are important to recover lost wages.
- Criminal Records
Sometimes the at-fault party may have been charged with a crime that may entitle you to what is called “punitive damages.” Punitive damages are used to punish the at-fault driver for the egregious or intentional conduct that they committed. Most states allow for punitive damages when the at-fault party causes an accident while being impaired. If the at-fault driver caused the accident and was charged with a DWI, it is critical that criminal records from the county courthouse are obtained. No insurance company wants their insured in court after being charged with a crime and causing injuries. These records can increase settlement value and punish the defendant for their conduct.
Hiring an experienced lawyer, like a personal injury lawyer, is important when collecting necessary evidence. A personal injury attorney knows all of the evidence to collect aside from the few items listed here. If you have been involved in a car accident, give us a call today.
