5 Ways to Gather Evidence for a Personal Injury Claim
If you wish to file a lawsuit for damages after an accident, it is vital that you have evidence to support your case. If you suffer an injury due to another person’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering.
In all injury cases, obtaining damages is a complex process. The defendant and his or her legal and insurance teams will try to disprove liability and avoid paying compensation for your injuries. According to the Department of Motor Vehicles, solid evidence will strengthen your claim and put you in a better position to negotiate for a higher settlement.
Eric H. Woods Law Offices can assess your case and help you win the compensation that you deserve. Call 702-737-0000 to speak to a personal-injury attorney in Las Vegas, and read on for five ways to gather evidence to support your claim:
- Take Notes
It is imperative that you document every aspect of the accident that you can remember. If you are able, try to take notes at the scene. Make notes about everything that happened—even if it seems insignificant to you at the time.
- Return to the Accident Scene
If possible, you should always capture photographic evidence at the time of the accident, but this is not always feasible when you have medical injuries that require immediate attention. Whether you managed to photograph the scene of the accident or not, you should always return to search for further evidence, such as a rock in the road or a dirty traffic sign, which may have caused the crash.
- Preserve Evidence
You should safely secure all evidence for use in your negotiations. This includes photographic images, torn clothing, medical records, lists of expenses, broken items and more. Keep every item you can, and if you cannot take it with you, photograph it. It is pivotal that your evidence is never lost or stolen.
- Contact Witnesses
Obtaining the contact details of any witnesses to the accident is among the very first steps to take at the scene. Few people take lengthy statements from witnesses when they are injured and in a state of shock. However, you should contact them as soon as possible to get their observations on paper, while the details are still clear in their memories.
- Document Your Injuries
In order for your claim to be successful, you need to provide extensive information about your injuries. Take photographs of every bruise, scrape and broken bone. Get medical attention as soon as possible, or the other party may not consider your injuries serious enough for proper negotiation. Ask your doctor to provide you with detailed information about the extent of your injuries.
Without solid evidence, you may have a difficult time negotiating a fair settlement. In fact, the other party’s insurance provider may consider your claim invalid or only offer a small percentage of your losses.
If you would like legal advice from an experienced personal-injury lawyer about obtaining damages for your injuries, call Eric H. Woods Law Offices at 702-737-0000.
