Experiencing a car accident is a significant event that can have a lasting impact on a person’s life. If you’ve suffered serious injuries as a result, understanding the steps to take when filing for car accident claims is crucial. Navigating the complexities of the insurance claims process can be challenging. To effectively seek fair compensation for your injuries and medical expenses, it’s essential to establish the fault of another party in the accident.
Regrettably, many insurance companies may reject valid claims or attempt to minimize settlement amounts for their own gain. Taking swift action to pursue compensation from the responsible party involves enlisting the services of a best car accident lawyer, collecting evidence, and promptly initiating a car accident injury claim. Accruing a wealth of pertinent information and preserving evidence significantly bolsters your case throughout the course of a car accident claim lawyer investigation.
Why Do You Need to Gather Evidence?
Typically, the car accident victim bears the burden of proof. When pursuing damages, it is your responsibility to demonstrate that the legal liability for the accident lies with the other party. This entails amassing substantial evidence to unequivocally illustrate that the negligence of the other driver led to the collision, consequently causing your injuries.
How to Gather and Preserve Evidence for Your Personal Injury Claim
Various pieces of evidence will be required to build and present a successful personal injury lawsuit following a lawyer for car accident.
Most of the crucial evidence you need for your car accident case is found only at the crash site. While it is best to obtain the evidence as soon as possible, be sure to seek immediate medical treatment if you have been seriously injured. If you can, collect the following essential evidence at the scene of the wreck:
Request for a Police Report
One of the most critical pieces of evidence you need for your claim is a police report. When people report car accidents, an investigating officer will be sent to the crash scene. The police officer will make a written report containing important details about the accident, including:
vents that lead up to the accident
A diagram that demonstrates how the crash happened
Name of witnesses
Injuries sustained by the victims of the motor vehicle accident
Damage to the vehicles
The information obtained in the police report can help you show that another party is at fault.
Take Pictures and Videos While at the Accident Scene
If possible, take photographs and videos while you are at the scene of the accident using your smartphone or tablet. If you are not too injured to do so, take close-up shots of the damage in your vehicle and pictures of the crash scene. You can use the photographs and videos to provide evidence of damage, as well as proof to establish the fault or negligence of the other party.
In case you cannot capture photos immediately after the accident, have someone you trust take pictures and videos while you receive treatment in the hospital.
Secure a Traffic Camera Footage
There are plenty of traffic cameras found in the streets of Ontario. You can visit local businesses or residential buildings near the car crash scene and ask for surveillance tapes that showed the accident. It can show the negligent actions of the at-fault driver leading up to the crash. They could be making an illegal U-turn or not stopping at a red light. This can be used as substantial evidence that you did not have anything to do with the accident.
Obtain Eyewitness Contact Information
In most cases, there are people who will have witnessed the car crash. Make sure to obtain their names and contact information before leaving the scene. This enables you to get in touch with them when you need their testimony later. For instance, an eyewitness can provide information about how the at-fault party was driving erratically minutes before the collision. Having multiple eyewitnesses with the same statement can be utilized as solid evidence of the other driver’s fault.
Collect Medical Records
After seeing the doctor and getting treatment for injuries you suffered from the car accident, make sure to collect medical records and other documentation to establish your insurance claim. You will need to submit evidence of your injuries relevant medical records and related expenses, such as treatment, medications, and surgery, to the insurance company. Make sure to request copies from your healthcare provider along with your insurance claim. Be careful before signing a medical authorization form from the insurance company, as it can be used to access your older records and find a reason to deny your claim. It is recommended you obtain independent legal advice prior to signing any authorization forms in our car accident lawyer near me.
