Car accident victims are often overwhelmed following a crash. They have a lot on their mind including medical bills, lost wages and property damage.
Insurance companies are skilled at trying to undermine and deny your claim or lowball you in order to maximize their profits. Car Accident Attorney Maryland will be a powerful ally in the battle for proper compensation.
While the initial aftermath of a car accident can be traumatic, it’s important to take the time to record as much documentation as possible to build your case. Whether it’s contact information for witnesses, photographs of the accident scene or medical records, the more evidence you have of your losses, the more likely your attorney will be to recover fair compensation on your behalf.
If you’re not able to take notes at the scene of the accident, try to do so immediately afterward while the details are still fresh in your mind. Also, don’t forget to get the name and badge number of any responding police officers and any other names and insurance policy numbers for drivers involved in the crash.
You’ll also need to bring copies of your insurance policy to the first meeting with your lawyer as this will help determine the type of damages to which you’re entitled. It’s helpful if you have proof that your premium payments were up to date, such as receipts or canceled checks from your bank account.
The medical records from any injuries you suffered in the accident are crucial for a car accident case, as they prove your damages. A good attorney will look at your current and future medical expenses, lost wages due to being unable to work, and any other costs you’ve incurred because of the incident.
Medical records are also needed to establish causation, which is the legal term for proving that the accident was the result of another person’s negligence. This is why it’s important to seek immediate medical attention so that all of your injuries can be diagnosed and treated.
Finally, if you have any video footage of the car accident, it’s very valuable to present this at your initial appointment with your Manhattan Car Accident Attorney. This is an excellent way to show how the accident was the result of the negligent actions of the other driver, which can greatly strengthen your case for fair compensation. Also, video footage can be more effective than written testimony from a witness as it can convey the emotional impact of the accident.
Witness Statements
Witness statements are a vital part of car accident cases. They provide a first-hand account of the events that led up to and followed the crash, helping authorities and insurance companies determine who is at fault. Witness statements are typically written down, recorded or given verbally and can play a role in any lawsuits arising from the accident.
A good witness statement is clear, concise and direct, providing information about the accident without making any inferences or speculations. It will include important details such as the time of day, how the weather may have affected visibility and driver behavior, and a thorough description of any vehicles involved in the accident. It should also provide a step-by-step sequence of the events that occurred, starting with the moments leading up to the collision and ending with its immediate aftermath.
When approaching witnesses, be polite and respectful of their right to remain silent. Some people may choose not to give a statement and that’s OK, but try to identify anyone who was on the scene of the accident. Look for people who stopped to help or contacted the authorities after the crash, as these are usually great witnesses. You can also ask nearby businesses if they have security cameras, as these can be valuable as well.
It’s possible that a witness might contradict their previous statement, but this can be helpful as well. It can make authorities or insurance companies question the accuracy or honesty of a party’s account of the incident, potentially shifting the determination of liability away from the disputed parties.
It’s also essential that you don’t make statements that could be interpreted as admitting guilt or assigning blame to yourself or another person. This could be used against you later on as evidence that you are not a reliable witness or can’t provide an accurate account of the accident. A Car Accident Attorney can help you avoid this pitfall by ensuring that your statements are clear and direct. They can also prepare you for any questions that might be asked in a deposition or court hearing, so that you’re ready to defend your case.
Medical Records
Medical records are one of the most important pieces of evidence in any injury case. They provide proof that the injuries you suffered are direct results of your car accident and help establish how much the liable party should be held responsible for paying for your losses.
The insurance company of the at-fault driver will have a team of medical experts who will examine your medical records carefully. They will look for any inconsistencies and pre-existing conditions that they can use to discredit your claim. In order to avoid this, make sure that your attorney has access to all of your relevant medical records.
This includes emergency room (ER) records which document the initial assessments, treatments, and procedures that were provided following the accident. They also include hospitalization records, surgical reports, physical therapy and rehabilitation records, and the reports from any diagnostic tests you had such as MRIs and X-rays. This information helps your attorney build a strong compensation case to prove that you suffered severe injuries as a result of the accident and are entitled to fair financial compensation for your loss.
Another important aspect of medical records is the timeline that they establish relating to your injuries. The closer in time that your medical treatment is to the date of the car accident, the more likely the defense will be to conclude that your injuries are directly related to the crash. This will make it difficult for them to deny liability or offer you a lower settlement.
Your medical records may also include expert testimony from your doctors who can serve as medical witnesses in your case. Their testimonies, based on your medical reports, will be persuasive in proving the extent of your injuries and the necessity of the treatment you received following the accident. In addition, they can help establish causation by showing that your accident-related injuries did not exist prior to the collision.
Photographs
Photographs are some of the most important pieces of evidence that can help an injured person build a car accident claim. They provide an unbiased depiction of the accident scene and can supplement written accounts or witness testimony. Photographs can also help establish context and circumstances that might be difficult to convey in words, such as weather conditions or obstructed traffic signs.
Taking photos of the accident scene as soon as possible is essential. If you are able to do so, take pictures from multiple angles and distances. Wide-angle shots can offer a general depiction of the vehicles and surroundings while close-ups of vehicle damage will allow for a more detailed view. Make sure that all identifying information is visible in the photographs, including license plates and VIN numbers.
If you are unable to take your own photos, ask a friend or family member to do so. Ensure that the photographs are clear and well-focused. Using a flash can be helpful but be careful not to cause camera shake or glare.
Obtaining photographs of the vehicles involved in the crash is especially important. Insurance adjusters can glean much information about the force and impact of the collision from the location, pattern, and severity of damage. Additionally, photographs of the vehicles can also show if there are any dings, scratches, or other indications that may have occurred prior to the collision.
You should also take pictures of the road itself, including lane markings and intersections. Look for skid marks that can give you clues about how the cars were driven prior to the crash. Finally, take pictures of any debris or puddles that might have been caused by the accident.
If the accident resulted in injuries to you, make sure that you and your attorney have photographed all of your wounds. You should also make a point of documenting the progress of your injury throughout the healing process. This can help to support your claim for medical expenses and other damages.
Photographic evidence is hard for insurance companies to dispute, and it can be an effective tool in demonstrating negligence on the part of an at-fault driver or other parties in a car accident. If you are able to gather this evidence at the time of the accident, it can lead to a stronger settlement offer during negotiations with the insurance company.
