After a car accident, you should gather evidence like photos and videos of the accident scene, contact information of any witnesses, and the police report. If you can’t collect this evidence yourself, don’t worry. A Dallas car accident lawyer can investigate your case, collecting evidence that proves the liable party must compensate you.
While your health and well-being must be your top priority after a crash, it pays to consider your legal case as soon as your injuries are stable. Gathering certain types of evidence can make it easier to file your claim, develop a compelling case, value your potential settlement, and navigate the legal process. A car accident attorney can advise you about any necessary evidence that might be specific to your case facts.
Evidence You Should Gather After an Auto Collision
The aftermath of an accident can feel overwhelming. However, collecting evidence after the crash can support your case against the at-fault driver. Some evidence that could support your personal injury claim includes:
- Pictures of your injuries, vehicle damage, and the accident scene
- Videos from your cellphone, a witness’ cellphone, or from the surveillance camera at a nearby business
- The accident report from responding police officers
- Witness statements
- Medical bills, records of your medical treatment, and statements from your doctor
- Receipts or invoices from a car maintenance shop
- Expert witness statements
You do not need to collect this evidence on your own. A personal injury lawyer can navigate this process for you, giving you time to heal.
How You Can Help Support Your Claim or Lawsuit Following a Car Accident
There are actions car crash victims can take after an accident to support their insurance claim or lawsuit and seek fair compensation. Knowing what pieces of evidence to gather includes understanding what you should document, how to collect paperwork, and how to ensure you recall the crash details. After your accident, consider taking the following steps:
Documenting the Scene
If your injuries allow, there is evidence you can document at the crash scene. Take pictures of all vehicles involved and their position on the road. Document the damage to each car. Take close-ups and wide shots of the scene.
If your injuries are serious, it is OK to skip this. There are other ways to determine what happened and where each car came to rest. This information may be in the police report or discoverable through an accident scene survey.
Gathering Documents
After your accident, keep a file for the documents you collect. This will include almost any paperwork related to your accident and injuries. Keep copies of medical bills, medical records, doctor’s notes, car repair estimates, and receipts in this file. You will need them to document your losses, and your attorney will ask for them if you decide to hire one.
Recording Your Own Story
It may seem like you will never forget your crash, but time often dulls these memories. One of the best ways to ensure you do not forget the details of your accident is to sit down and record your side of the story early on. You can make a video, write it down, or make a voice memo. It can help you remember if you need to describe the crash at trial or give your attorney critical details.
Call on a Lawyer Early After Your Crash for Help Building Your Case With Evidence
You will want to start building your case as soon as possible. If you hire a car accident attorney from the start of your case, they can begin gathering evidence that may be time sensitive.
For example, many crashes are caught on video from nearby businesses. However, they only keep these videos for a limited time. This is why it is imperative to act quickly. A lot of evidence can disappear in the first few weeks after a collision.
There are other benefits to getting an early start on your case, too. In cases where a lawsuit is necessary, the statute of limitations states that you only have a limited amount of time to file your case. In Texas, you generally only have up to two years to sue under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003
Using Evidence to Document Your Recoverable Damages After a Car Accident
You will need to have evidence to document your recoverable damages after a crash. Valuing your case and determining a possible settlement range is one of the ways a lawyer can help the most. It can be tricky to identify and properly value all expenses and losses on your own. This is especially true of non-economic and future damages.
When your attorney begins to identify and document your recoverable damages, they will want to see your medical bills, receipts for related expenses, income statements, documentation of time away from work, and other paperwork that shows your expenses and losses. Keeping these items together from the start will make this process easier.
In addition, your car accident attorney will take steps to better understand your prognosis, future care needs, and intangible losses. This could include working with medical experts, reviewing your relevant medical records, and discussing your case with expert witnesses.
Discussing Your Texas Car Accident Case With Our Law Firm for Free
Loncar Lyon Jenkins provides free initial consultations for car accident victims in Texas. If you were hurt in a crash, we will meet with you in person or virtually. Our team will review your case, offer guidance about your options, and explain how our attorneys can help you. We are here to answer your questions and help you get justice. When you are hurt, call in the Strong Arm.
Contact us today using our online form or calling our team.
