How to Properly Gather Evidence in Your Accident Claim

Evidence wins accidents claims. No matter what either side proclaims, evidence will always hold more weight than words in a court of law. For this reason, you must properly gather your evidence during your case. Failing to obtain evidence can result in your losing your potential compensation. Without compensation for your damages, you risk losing your way of life.

However, many people are unaware of how they can properly gather evidence for their injury claim. Some people unknowingly miss out on their opportunity of gathering evidence and weaken their accident claims. By speaking with a personal injury lawyer in Charlotte, you can better inform yourself of the finer details surrounding an injury claim. 

The following are essential tips you should use when gathering evidence. 

Request a Copy of Your Police Report

Whenever you experience a personal injury, you should always call the police. The police will analyze your situation and file an unbiased report. This report will describe your accident along with multiple statements given by individuals relevant to your accident. Having this import piece of evidence should only strengthen your injury claim.

Request a Copy of Your Medical Records 

Documenting your physical and emotional damages is another way to enhance your injury claim. Naturally, the other party will attempt to discredit your damages and shift blame away from themselves. The insurance company representing the other party may be eager to claim your injuries were either preexisting or not the result of their client's actions. Many shady tactics such as these are commonplace in accident claims. 

Insurance companies dismiss any emotional distress you suffer because it doesn’t fall under their responsibility as an insurance provider. However, not only is this insulting to your emotional pain, but it can feel borderline cruel. 

If you want to have your emotional damages repaid, you must document your mental health in the wake of the accident. Records of your therapy sessions along with a statement from your therapist are useful pieces of evidence of how your accident impacted you mentally and emotionally. You can seek compensation for emotional damages through a personal injury claim.

Photograph the Scene of Your Accident

Photographing the scene of your accident is another brilliant way to obtain evidence. Providing photos of where your injury took place helps to create a compelling narrative for your case. If you're capable of doing so, immediately photograph the place where your accident occurred. The sooner you can photograph the scene of your accident, the better. 

Photograph Your Damages

Whether it's property or your body, you should always photograph your damages. Again, having photographic evidence more easily paints a picture of how significant your damages are. Cuts, bruises, and any other visible injuries are extremely useful sources of evidence. If your injuries are internal, x-rays serve as useful evidence of your damages.

Photograph Everyone at the Scene of Your Accident

Your smartphone is much more than just a social media device. Having a camera in your pocket allows you to take as many photographs as your phone’s memory can hold. For this reason, you should always photograph everyone at the scene of your accident. Photographing everyone better illustrates your accident in the courtroom. 

It also helps you remember specific details that you may forget over time, and it may allow you to reach out to these individuals later for eyewitness testimony.