What Evidence Do I Need For a Car Accident Claim?
If you’re been involved in a car accident, you don’t just need solid evidence to win your car accident claim — you need a dedicated and aggressive attorney as well. Unfortunately, not all personal injury attorneys are made equal when it comes to getting compensation for accident claims.
Even the best car accident lawyers in Houston have trouble winning cases against the insurance and trucking companies, who go to the ends of the earth to make sure that people are given the bare minimum after accidents. You need an attorney that knows how to go head to head with the large teams of attorneys put together by the insurance companies.
The attorneys at Grimes & Fertitta used to work for the insurance companies — but not anymore. Now they use their expertise to bring justice home for their clients who have been wronged by negligent individuals and organizations and to get people the justice and compensation they deserve. They know exactly how the insurance company tries to nickel and dime victims, and they won’t let it happen.
What should I do after a car accident?
Before you even think about gathering evidence after you are involved in a car accident, there are a few things that you need to do. Because your adrenaline is pumping, injuries from car accidents can often go unnoticed in the immediate aftermath of a car accident, and if you decide to move around, you could be putting your health in immediate danger. Given that you are awake and not in too much pain after an accident, you should do the following.
- Call the police. Once it is safe to do so, and if you are able to, call the police and let them know you’ve been in an accident.
- Make sure that you are not hurt. Assess your injuries and the injuries of anyone else that may have been involved in the accident. If someone has suffered a serious injury, be sure to let the 911 dispatcher know that you need an ambulance.
- Gather evidence while you wait for the police. If your injuries permit that you can do so, move out of harm’s way and begin to gather evidence — more on that later.
- Call the best Houston car accident lawyer that you can find. Once you have received treatment for any injuries you may have sustained during the accident, it is safe to turn your mind to your car accident claim.
Your primary concern after being involved in an accident should be making sure your medical needs are met as quickly as possible. Do not even turn your mind to your car or truck accident lawsuit until you are safe and receiving the medical attention that you need — but when it is time to think about your car accident claim, be sure to pick the right personal injury attorney to take your case.
Types of evidence you will need for a car accident claim
In order to build a strong case (and have the best chance of getting the most compensation for your accident claim) you’re going to want to gather two kinds of evidence after your wreck: evidence at the scene of the crash and evidence of how it has impacted your life.
Car crash evidence at the scene
Physical evidence in a car accident can provide concrete facts that will aid your personal injury lawyer in their quest to get you what you deserve. It might feel odd to do so in the hectic aftermath of a car accident, but you should be collecting evidence on the scene the moment that it is safe for you to do so. You should be asking yourself what sources of information might be found at the scene of an accident, and recording as much information as you can. Some examples of evidence on the scene can include:
- Photos or videos of the scene
- Other driver’s contact information, insurance information, and license plate numbers
- Contact information for any eyewitnesses
- Videos or recordings of any eyewitness testimony
- Videos of the people involved in the accident can be especially helpful if you believe that you were hit by a drunk driver
Other than establishing fault at the scene, the main factor being litigated during a car accident claim is how much compensation is owed to the victim.
Car crash evidence after the accident
Evidence after the accident will help establish the extent of the damages that have been caused by the accident and help your attorney to argue for a proper settlement amount. Evidence to be gathered after the accident can include:
- Medical bills
- Doctor’s notes
- Medications prescribed
- Documentation of treatments or procedures
- Physical therapy referrals, bills, or proposals
- Former pay stubs to illustrate lost wages
- Documentation of physical injuries or the difficulties they have caused you
- Funeral or burial costs
- A copy of the police report from the accident
When in doubt, document it. Documentation equals evidence, which is essential in building a strong case and getting a favorable outcome.
How to prove negligence in a car accident
All drivers on the road owe one another a duty of care, which means that they cannot endanger the lives of others by acting recklessly or dangerously. If you were injured in a car wreck and you’re wondering how to get compensation after a car accident the answer is essentially proving that the negligence of another party directly caused you harm.
Here’s what your personal injury attorney will have to prove:
- Negligence. The first challenge is proving without a doubt that the negligent behavior of another party caused the accident.
- Injury. After proving that negligent behavior caused the accident, it must be shown that the accident in question is what caused your injuries.
- Damages. After proving that you were injured during the accident caused by the negligence of another party, it must be established that those injuries caused you damages.
Good evidence is crucial to your car accident claim — as will be your personal injury attorney
The best way to achieve the desired outcome for your car accident claim is to gather sufficient evidence and hire a skilled attorney to represent you. Although it may seem difficult to stay diligent during such a difficult time, save all of your records and thoroughly document the details of your accident, as it will help your attorney get you the compensation you deserve.
If you’re looking for a Houston truck accident lawyer or car accident lawyer to take on your truck or car accident claim, call the experienced attorneys at Grimes & Fertitta. They left the insurance companies in the past to specifically help people like you get what they deserve and never looked back. Call Grimes & Fertitta at (713) 224-7644 or contact us online for a free case evaluation today!
More Helpful Articles by Grimes & Fertitta:
- Can You Sue for Airbag Injuries?
- What to Look For in Houston Personal Injury Lawyer Reviews
- What Evidence Do I Need For a Drunk Driver Lawsuit?
- How Long Does an Injury Lawsuit Take in Texas?
- Your Guide to Progressive Car Accident Claims