As per a 2022 report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 5,930,496 police reported traffic accidents in the United States. As common as they are, motor vehicle accidents are a traumatic experience. While the immediate focus is on expediting medical treatment for injured parties involved, dealing with the fallout of motor accidents can take a toll. This includes, and is not limited to, legalities pertaining to the accident and compensation to injured parties.
While getting fair compensation is a legal right, it is not as easy as it may seem. To start with, you must collect evidence pertaining to the case. The right evidence can potentially make or break a personal injury case.
Through this blog, you will understand how to collect different types of evidence if you have been a victim of a motor vehicle accident.
- Photographs and Videos of the Accident Scene
Believe it or not, visual evidence is the most powerful tool in a personal injury case. Immediately after the accident, you must take clear photographs and videos of the scene.
You should capture the visual evidence from multiple angles. Below are some of the things on which you should focus on:
- Vehicle damage
- Road conditions
- Any skid marks
- Traffic signals
- Weather conditions
- Any other visible hazards
Such images and videos will help you to create the most vivid picture of what caused the accident.
- Police Reports
A police report is an authoritative account of the accident. It often contains details that might be hard to gather on your own.
When the responding officer arrives on the place of incident, they will document the entire scene and interview the key witnesses. They will then compile a proper report of the entire incident.
Such a report includes key details like the date, time, and location of the accident. It will also have a preliminary assessment of fault.
A police report can be vital evidence, especially if the officer’s observations support your claims. However, to have access to this report, you will need the help of a good legal aid in Ellis County. Clay Hinds, Attorney at Law, will provide you with the right assistance.
- Medical Records and Bills
Your medical records are very important in proving the extent of your injuries. They can also help you prove the impact that these injuries have had on your life.
You must keep a detailed record of all medical expenses related to the case. This includes hospital bills, prescription costs, and physical therapy sessions.
You should also store with you all of your medical records. These will be the emergency room visits, doctor consultations, diagnostic tests, and treatments.
- Surveillance Footage
Surveillance cameras are almost everywhere today. Nearby businesses, traffic lights, or even residential homes might have captured the specific accident in their video recording.
If you think a camera might have recorded the incident then you must act quickly. It might be overwritten or deleted after a certain period. Request the footage of this incident with the owner of camera.
You can also get help from Clay Hinds Attorney at Law, for legal aid in Johnson County.
- Accident Reconstruction Reports
In complex cases, accident reconstruction experts can be invaluable. These professionals analyze all of the available evidence, such as vehicle damage, skid marks, and road conditions. Their reports can clarify how the accident occurred, the speed of the vehicles involved, and the point of impact.
For instance, an accident reconstruction report might show that the other driver was speeding, which directly contributed to the collision. It will hugely help with your case.
However, to gain access to this report, you will need the court order. Only a good legal aid in Ellis County will be able to help you with that.
- Proof of Lost Wages and Impact on Earning Capacity
If your injuries have caused you to miss work or have affected your ability to earn in the future, then you must document the proof of such inability.
To collect this proof, you need to work on the following documents.
- Pay stubs
- Tax returns
- A letter from your employer verifying the time you missed due to your injuries.
Also, if your injuries have led to your diminished ability to perform on your job, then you must gather expert testimony that will project the long-term financial impact of the injury on you.
Conclusion
Collecting comprehensive evidence after a motor vehicle accident is essential to building a robust personal injury case. By using the methods in this blog to gather evidence, you will be able to build a case that is strong enough to provide you with fair compensation. Clay Hinds, Attorney at Law, will provide you with the best legal aid in Ellis County.