When putting a personal injury claim together, it can be difficult to know where to start. Before doing anything else, you should gather your evidence. This step is crucial to your success.
This process can feel overwhelming, especially if you’ve never done it before. To that end, Alex & Associates, P.C. offers you this handy, step-by-step guide. Follow this list carefully, and you will be much closer to receiving the compensation you need for your injuries.
Document the Injury and Its Effects
Take pictures of the injury, get medical records, and describe any physical or emotional pain you are suffering.
Taking pictures of the injury, no matter how minor it may seem, helps you accurately communicate the extent of the damage.
Medical records can provide quantifiable evidence of the harm you experienced and any treatment you received or are still receiving.
Your personal account is also important because it can lead to pain and suffering damages. It’s easy to dismiss the psychological effects of an injury, but they are just impactful. You should address these matters in court.
Keep Track of All Expenses Related to Your Injury
Save all receipts for medical bills, travel expenses (related to the injury), and any other relevant costs such as prescriptions.
If you’ve thrown out any of these receipts, don’t fret. Tracking down this information is much easier in today’s world. Your pharmacists and doctors probably have an app or a website that allows you to see your expenses. You may also be able to find this information through a list of claims from your insurer, also available online or on smartphone apps.
Make a List of Witnesses
These people can provide invaluable testimony about the circumstances leading up to your injury and the repercussions that followed. Whether it was a co-worker who saw the accident or a family member who observed your struggles with pain and disability, their input can strengthen your case. Make sure to record contact information for all witnesses.
Preserve Any Evidence of Negligence
Negligence is a legal concept in personal injury cases. It refers to someone’s failure to take reasonable care and avoid causing harm or injury to another.
In a personal injury case, negligence is the key to determining liability, which is the legal term for responsibility.
To establish negligence, the plaintiff (the person filing the suit) must prove that the defendant had a duty of care towards them, and the defendant breached that duty by failing to take that care. As a result, the plaintiff suffered harm.
When gathering evidence, look for anything that suggests the other person did not exercise an appropriate level of care. This can include evidence such as photographs, video footage, or even physical evidence, such as torn clothing or damaged equipment.
Here, your goal is to demonstrate the other person’s fault. Doing so helps prove that you deserve compensation for any damages or losses you've suffered.
Obtain a Police Report when Applicable
Such reports detail the events leading up to the accident, the parties involved, witnesses, and any citations given.
Police reports are also official, kept by the authorities. They carry a great deal of weight in a court case.
Consult with an Attorney
Your lawyer can help guide your evidence collection. They can overlook what you’ve already collected and make suggestions about what you can throw out or include. Their goal will be to make sure what you’ve gathered supports your claim and strengthens your case.
If you’ve been hurt in a car accident or any other negligent act, our firm is here to help. For a free consultation, call us now at (602) 483-6114 or contact us online.