Often, car accident victims incur a wide range of expenses. These include medical bills, property damage, lost wages from time off work and non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
Insurance companies are notorious for low-balling claims and questioning the severity of injuries. A lawyer can be your advocate during this difficult time and protect you from being taken advantage of. Contact Car Accident Lawyer Duluth now!
Having the right evidence is crucial when it comes to fighting a car accident case in court and recovering compensation for your damages. However, it can be difficult to gather all of the information needed for a successful outcome. For this reason, it is best to consult with a reputable car crash lawyer to ensure that all of the necessary evidence is obtained and preserved.
Evidence is important for a variety of reasons, including establishing fault and demonstrating the extent of your injuries. It is vital that you take pictures of the scene of the crash, if possible, as well as taking detailed pictures of any damage to your vehicle and any other vehicles involved in the incident. You should also try to locate eyewitnesses who can provide statements regarding what they witnessed, as their testimony can be extremely valuable.
If the police were at the scene of the crash, ask for a copy of their report. This will be one of the most important pieces of evidence in your case, so it is essential that you get a copy. The police report will detail how the accident occurred and will provide information about what witness statements were made.
It is also a good idea to take notes or draw a sketch of the accident scene as soon as possible. This can help to refresh your memory later when it is time for you to provide this evidence to a judge or jury. In addition to this, you should also gather any receipts and records related to your medical treatment as well as the financial losses resulting from the collision.
Another great piece of evidence to collect is video footage. It is important that you act quickly, however, as video can disappear very quickly if it is not saved or stored properly. For this reason, it is often best to hire a car crash attorney who can retrieve and preserve video footage for you before it is too late. This type of footage can be extremely helpful in proving the fault of another driver and establishing the severity of your injuries.
Seek Medical Attention
The immediate aftermath of a car accident can be overwhelming, and it’s easy for victims to make mistakes that could have lasting consequences. One such mistake is neglecting medical attention. Many people may think they don’t need to see a doctor, or they might lose track of time and push off a visit for days or weeks. This is a big mistake that could end up hurting your health and your legal claim.
It’s important to see a doctor immediately following a car accident for both your health and the strength of your legal case. The adrenaline surge caused by an accident can mask many injuries and symptoms, making it easy to mistakenly believe that you’re fine when in reality you have a neck or back injury, broken bones, internal bleeding or other serious condition.
Your doctor will also document your injury and treatment, which is critical for any future legal claims you might file. In addition, your doctor will help you develop a course of treatment that includes any prescriptions and at-home therapies your doctor recommends. Your doctor’s notes will be crucial in proving the extent of your injuries and the damages you are entitled to receive for your losses, including medical bills, lost income, property damage and pain and suffering compensation.
Another reason why it is important to see a doctor right away is that your insurance company will want to know what injuries you suffered in the crash. They will want to make sure you’re not faking or exaggerating your symptoms, so they can pay less in your accident claim.
It is a good idea to avoid discussing your accident with anyone else, including friends and family, until you speak with your lawyer. Well-meaning relatives and acquaintances can say things that could have a negative impact on your case, such as disclosing information about who was at fault in the accident or sharing details of your injury or how the accident occurred.
If you are asked to speak with the police or the other driver’s insurance agent, politely decline. Anything you say can be used against you later in court. You should only speak with your lawyer, and even then, only about the facts of the case and not your personal feelings or opinions about who was at fault.
Notify Your Insurance Company
If you are able to, it can be helpful to get pictures of the scene of the accident (including damage to your vehicle and other cars, any conditions on the road, etc.). Also try to get the names and contact information of any witnesses.
It is important to report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible, even if you are not sure whether or not you are hurt. Doing so helps ensure that your claim is processed correctly and that you don’t miss any deadlines.
Additionally, your car insurer may offer to pay for some of your losses up to the limits of your policy. This is known as “first party” coverage and is typically provided by your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. PIP is a mandatory part of every New York auto insurance policy.
Once you’ve reported the accident, the other driver’s insurance company will usually send an adjuster to investigate the crash. Be careful what you say to the other insurance adjuster, as their primary goal is to find evidence that you are responsible for the accident or that your injuries are minor (or nonexistent).
Avoid discussing how much pain you are in or how bad your injuries might be, as these conversations can be used against you later in court if they turn out to be more serious than expected. Likewise, never admit fault to anyone at the scene of an accident, including police officers and insurance adjusters.
The other insurance company will likely ask to see your medical records and may also want access to any other relevant documents. Your attorney can help you review these and provide them to the other insurance company if necessary.
If your injuries are significant and/or you have extensive property damage, you will likely need to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver in order to receive full compensation for your losses. This is often complicated, particularly in cases where the at-fault driver denies responsibility or attempts to argue that your injuries aren’t as severe as you claim. Our team’s experience in these matters can be invaluable when negotiating with the other insurance company and, if necessary, the court.
Hire an Attorney
If you have sustained serious injuries in a car accident due to another driver’s negligent driving, it’s important that you build a strong case as soon as possible to help prove negligence and liability and recover compensation for your losses. Your attorney will need proof of your special and general damages, including medical bills, receipts, income statements, documentation of time missed from work, intangible losses such as pain and suffering, and more. Your lawyer may need to take steps to better understand your prognosis and future care needs, which can require working with medical experts.
While you may have a good memory, it’s not uncommon for the events of a crash to blur over time. Recording your side of the story, either through a video or voice memo, can help you recall important details for your claim.
It’s also a good idea to get the contact information of any eyewitnesses to your accident. They may be able to provide valuable information for your case, including their observations of the conditions at the accident scene, skid marks on the road, and more. Ideally, eyewitness testimony will support your version of the facts and contradict any arguments by the other driver or their insurance company that you were at fault.
You should also ask to review a copy of the police report. This document is a public record and will contain the officer’s assessment of who was at fault for the crash.
Your lawyer can perform a thorough investigation of your accident, reviewing any available evidence such as the police report, skid marks, and witness testimony. They can also evaluate the opportunity for negotiating a fair settlement with the at-fault party or their insurance company and assess the possibility of filing a lawsuit.
When hiring a car accident attorney, look for a lawyer who is dedicated to the success of your case and has experience handling cases similar to yours. They should also have a good reputation in the community and be readily available to answer your questions and concerns throughout your case. You should also consider their fee structure, as most lawyers charge on a contingency basis or an hourly rate.