If you are the victim of a car accident, you want to start right away to build your case against the negligent driver to obtain the compensation you deserve. Why is this so important? You must prove the driver’s negligence caused your crash and the amount of your damages. The way you do this is to obtain evidence to establish both liability and the extent of your injuries.
Evidence That Can Show the Other Driver’s Negligence
Much of the evidence you will want to gather will be associated with the accident scene. You will want to obtain as much as possible of the following to make your case stronger:
Photographs.
Take photos of the accident scene, the damage to the vehicles, including the point of impact, your injuries, debris, and weather conditions. Look for skid marks or other similar evidence to photograph.
Contact information.
Obtain contact information for the driver, his insurance company, and any witnesses to the accident. The police may not interview all the witnesses at the scene and they can provide invaluable evidence of what happened.
Police report.
You will want to obtain a copy of the police report after your crash. It could contain important information such as diagrams of the accident scene, the officer’s determination of how the crash occurred, and information regarding traffic tickets issued.
Surveillance tapes.
Did your accident occur near businesses? A surveillance camera may have recorded your accident. You want to obtain a copy of the surveillance tape as soon as possible because the tapes are periodically taped over.
Your vehicle.
Your vehicle could provide powerful information as to the cause of your crash. Consult with an experienced car accident attorney to determine whether an expert should inspect it before having your vehicle repaired.
Your clothing.
Save damaged clothing that can prove you were injured in the crash. It can also be dramatic evidence if your case goes to trial.
Revisit the scene.
If possible, you – or a family member or friend – should revisit the accident scene to look for any evidence you may have missed, such as skid marks or debris, or to discover repairs that were made after your crash. This may turn up additional information to establish the other driver’s fault.
Journal.
Start a journal right after the accident to document what occurred while it is still fresh in your mind.
Documents to Prove Your Damages
Another important aspect of your case is proving the amount of compensation you are entitled to. To achieve a more favorable settlement, you will want to start saving the following:
Medical bills.
Save your receipts for all your medical bills, prescription costs, and any other expenses you have incurred. You will also need a report from your doctor regarding the extent of your injuries, your treatment, and your long-term prognosis.
Repair bills.
If your vehicle needs repairs, you will want to save copies of the repair receipt and documentation of the cost of a car rental if you rented a vehicle while yours was being repaired.
Lost wages.
You will need a letter from your employer documenting the amount of any wages you did not receive while you were recovering. Be certain your employer includes any benefits, commissions, bonuses, or other benefits of your job that you did not receive because of your injuries.
Continue your journal.
You will want to keep up the journal you started after the accident. Include a record of your doctor appointments, treatments, pain you experience, and how your injuries have affected your day-to-day life.
Other out–of-pocket expenses.
Don’t forget to save receipts for any other expenses you incur. For example, if you had to make any modifications at your home, such as building a wheelchair ramp, or had to travel far for medical treatment, include these expenses as part of your damages.
Have You Been Involved In A Henderson Or Las Vegas Car Accident?
If you’ve been injured in a car accident you need to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our Henderson office directly at 702.405.6000 to schedule a free initial consultation.
