A car accident can bring different issues uninvited. The victim can suffer from severe physical injuries and emotional pain, resulting in piled-up medical bills. In addition, it can disrupt the daily routine and lifestyle, making it more difficult.
Often car accidents can happen due to someone else being careless behind the wheel. For instance, the other driver may be driving under the influence or have violated traffic rules which caused the crash. Victims can seek financial compensation for their injuries and damages in such cases.
Ensure to consult a Salem car accident lawyer to get legal advice to seek compensation.
Which evidence do you need to provide to file a car accident claim?
Every state has different laws as to the mandatory evidence when filing a car accident claim. However, evidence plays a vital role in getting successful compensation. If you do not have sufficient evidence to prove the at-fault party’s negligence, the insurance company may deny granting compensation or try to lower it. Therefore, lawyers always recommend gathering evidence from the day of the accident until you file a claim. The more evidence you have, the better you will be able to prove fault.
Some of the crucial evidence that will support your claim include:
- A police report from the crash.
- Pictures and videos from the accident scene.
- Witness statements.
- Pictures of injuries.
- The doctor’s reports state your injuries resulted from the accident.
- Medical diagnosis/prescriptions.
- Journal for emotional pain and suffering.
- Analytic reports from a mechanic in terms of property damage (car).
Tips for collecting evidence after a car accident
A car accident can be overwhelming, and not knowing what to do right after the accident can be confusing. In addition, many victims may not be in a state to take pictures or speak to witnesses present at the accident scene. However, panicking and being confused following the accident are common. You can still collect evidence after the accident to ensure you get the compensation you deserve. Here are a few tips to help you collect evidence against the at-fault party.
- Get a medical diagnosis right away. After seeking medical attention, ensure to save all the reports and prescriptions. These will come in handy to prove your injuries.
- Visit the accident scene and check if there are any CCTV cameras around. Getting footage from these cameras can be strong proof.
- Speak to nearby shops to know if anyone saw the accident. If yes, note down all their details.
- Contact a car accident lawyer as soon as possible. A lawyer can assist you in collecting evidence and help with all the legalities.
