It’s one thing to know the other driver was at fault, but it’s another thing to prove it. And to do that, you need strong evidence that shows the other driver was negligent. That’s why knowing how to gather the evidence that can help your claim is vital. Here are some ways to gather evidence after an auto crash:
Document the Accident Scene & Your Injuries
After contacting 911, take as many pictures and videos of the accident scene as possible. Make sure to capture photos of the surrounding area, your car’s damages, any visible injuries, and other information to help prove who was at fault.
For example, a picture of rear-end damage to your car could indicate that the at-fault driver failed to stop and crashed into you. You should also take photos of your injuries. Bruising, scrapes, and other signs of injury could help strengthen your compensation claim.
Gather Contact Information from Witnesses
Your accident most likely occurred at a crowded intersection or a busy side street. Regardless of where the accident happened, the point is that there’s a good chance someone saw it. If you can, consider asking anyone who witnessed the crash to provide their contact information in case their testimony is needed. The more witnesses you get on your side, the stronger your claim becomes.
Keep Records of Your Expenses & Damages
After your accident, you’ll likely have significant injuries and car repairs to recover from. When you go to the doctor, obtain a copy of their evaluation.
This proves you went to the doctor to seek treatment for your injuries. As simple as this sounds, if you don’t have proof that you sought medical help, the at-fault party might claim you weren’t actually injured.
Also, keep any bills you receive in the mail and put them in a safe place to give to your lawyer. This shows that the injuries you suffered resulted in monetary damages.
Furthermore, when you go to the shop to repair your vehicle, keep a copy of your quote. Even minor repairs could cost thousands of dollars, and you want to ensure you’re compensated for that expense.
Obtain the Police Report
When the police arrive at the scene, they’ll investigate the accident. They’ll talk with you and the at-fault driver to collect your contact information, your statements, and the statements of anyone who witnessed the accident.
They’ll also report their own personal findings to determine the accident’s cause and whether any traffic laws were broken. You can review an example of a Texas peace officer’s crash report here to give you a better idea of what information is collected. You can use the Texas Department of Transportation’s crash ordering system to find your crash report.
Document How Your Accident Affected You Personally
Another way you can be proactive and strengthen your injury claim is to keep a post-accident journal. You may not consider this to be a form of evidence, but it could provide compelling insight into the nature of your accident and how it altered your life.
For example, you might not be able to return to your job, your accident could have left you permanently impaired, or you could suffer in other ways. Documenting this information could show that you incurred not only monetary damages like medical bills but also non-monetary damages, such as pain and suffering.
Let Your Attorney Use Their Resources to Gather Evidence
While you could do your due diligence and gather a lot of evidence independently, your auto accident attorney has access to several resources that will help you recover full compensation. For example, they could recruit expert witnesses like an accident reconstructionist to help establish fault.
If you experienced a truck accident, your attorney could subpoena truck records like logbooks and black box data to prove the trucking company’s negligence. Your attorney will handle all aspects of your claim and negotiate with the at-fault party.
Contact Kemmy Law Firm Today
When you suffer from injuries after an auto accident, you need an advocate ready to gather all the evidence you need to build your claim. Although you can collect some evidence independently, your attorney can alleviate that burden through their investigation.
Let the lawyers at the Kemmy Law Firm analyze the details of your case and hold all at-fault parties accountable for their negligence. Contact us today by calling 844-334–4388 to schedule your free consultation.
Kemmy Law Firm serves clients across Texas and New Mexico:
Car Accident Lawyers in Odessa, Texas
101 N Jackson Ave
Odessa, Texas 79761
Car Accident Lawyers in Hobbs, New Mexico
1601 N. Turner, Suite 417
Hobbs, NM 88240
Car Accident Lawyers in San Antonio, Texas
1924 N Main Ave
San Antonio, Texas 78212
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