Step up and Show Proof With Your Accident Case
After a car accident, issues like proof and evidence are likely the last thing on your mind. Accident victims should focus on getting better from their injuries after an accident and not on legal matters. Once you feel up to it, however, you might want to consider how much the at-fault driver owes you and how to obtain those money damages.
Speaking to a personal injury lawyer will automatically take the burden of legal issues off of you and allow you to complete your rehabilitation. In the meantime, you might be interested in learning what role proof plays in your case. Knowing about it might enable you to assist your lawyer and avoid making mistakes with your case as well.
Understanding Evidence
Accident cases usually involve two types of evidence: that which proves fault and that which proves damages. Fault can be shown by the following types of evidence:
- Eye-witnesses to the accident.
- Accident scene information like photographs of skid marks and car damage.
- The accident report issued by law enforcement.
- Video of the accident.
You will also need evidence to support your damages. That usually means assembling things like the following for your personal injury lawyer:
- Medical records, billing statements, explanations of benefits, receipts, doctor's notes, and test results.
- Pay stubs, statements, letters from your job, income tax returns, or bank statements to show lost wages.
Preserving Evidence
The best way to ensure you have what you need to prove your case is to act soon after the accident. As soon as you can, make an appointment with a personal injury lawyer and provide them with enough information to get your case started. It's best to interview eye-witnesses as soon as possible and get their statements down on video or paper. If you don't, they could be more difficult to contact and they might not remember things as well.
Reaching Out for Evidence
Depending on the circumstances of the wreck, you might need to do more to determine fault. In some cases, accident reconstruction experts must be called upon to evaluate the evidence. They then provide their professional opinion as to the cause of the wreck. Along those same lines, you might need to find out from economic and medical experts how much money you will need for future medical needs. This is because you might agree to settle the case now as long as you know your future needs are known and included in the settlement.
Your personal injury lawyer understands the need for proof. Speak to a lawyer about your accident case today.