How to Gather Evidence for Your Accident Case An accident reconstruction specialist can assist in maximizing the value of your claim by analyzing the forces involved in your crash They can also provide insight into your injuries and quantify the damages you've suffered You will need to provide evidence of your damages including medical expenses and other expenses out of pocket It is best to begin collecting this evidence as soon as you can at the scene of the accident Get Assistance If you are in a car crash receiving immediate medical attention is your primary priority If you're healthy enough to receive medical attention, it is important to gather the most information you can at the scene of the crash Utilize the camera or video feature of your phone to snap photos of the vehicles involved Take photos of the skid marks, damages, and any other information you think might be helpful You can ask anyone who was at the scene to give you their contact information and a brief description of what they saw Be careful not to divulge any personal information regarding your insurance coverage or policy limits Also, check for cameras in the vicinity that could have recorded the incident including red lights or security cameras You can then request copies of the footage by reaching out to the person who managed those cameras Documenting your expenses is also essential In certain situations, you can recover compensation for the amount you have spent on things like a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired, or the cost of a ride to and from work while you recover from injuries Additionally, you can claim compensation for the past and future lost earnings if injuries keep you from working or result in lower than anticipated earnings in the future Keep your records of all medical expenses related to the crash If your injuries result in a permanent disability, it might be possible to claim damages to pay for the cost of future care This could include home modifications as well as assistive equipment that will allow you to continue living at your home or at work You can also claim compensation for other economic losses, such as the cost for a caregiver or replacement for household services when your injuries stop you from performing these chores on your own Gathering Evidence The first step in any accident case is to gather the most evidence that is available The guidelines for presenting evidence in the courtroom vary from state to state however there are certain types of evidence that will be beneficial in all accidents Witness Testimony Eyewitness testimony is vital when it comes to accidents It provides a factual account of the incident which will aid in determining the cause Witnesses can be drawn from all kinds of sources, like pedestrians in the vicinity or drivers of vehicles in the vicinity, or even friends or family members They may also have a smartphone to hand that can be used to record their statement or simply write a report Photographic Evidence Photos of the scene are the most evident photographic evidence These can include skid marks on the road, broken glass and the destruction of both vehicles involved in the collision It could also refer to environmental factors, such as traffic signals or construction sites that may be a factor in the accident Police Reports The police report generated following any motor vehicle crash are vital in a suit involving a car crash These documents can contain the officer's assessment of who was at fault for the incident, as well as any traffic violations committed by the other driver It's important to get the report as quickly as you can, or at least while it's still being written in order to have an opportunity to review the accuracy of the information Contact Information for Witnesses It's a good idea to gather as much information as you can from witnesses who might have witnessed the incident You can ask them for their names and contact numbers so that your lawyer can speak with them about what they saw during the accident and in the immediate aftermath Medical Records Keep the track of your medical appointments if you are injured in an accident These records will help record the injuries you've suffered and aid your legal team in calculating the amount you're entitled to for your the damages Documenting Your Injury You should take photos and videos of the area where the accident occurred when you are able to do so without placing your health in danger If you are using your smartphone or a camera connected to your car, this will enable you to create a clear picture of the scene The photos should show any visible injuries or damages that may have occurred as a result of the accident It is also helpful to record any skid marks, road conditions and other factors that can help paint a clearer picture of the incident Even if you think that your injuries are not serious, you should seek medical attention as soon after the incident as is possible Many injuries, like soft tissue neck and spine issues, can show up in a matter of days or weeks following the incident The sooner you consult a doctor, the more credible evidence you can use to prove that your injuries and losses are directly related to the accident Furthermore, you must keep track of all your medical treatment as well as related expenses Keep receipts of prescriptions, equipment, and travel expenses to and from medical appointments, as these are all eligible expenses that you could be able to get compensation for Keep a journal or a diary about your injury, including the symptoms you are experiencing This will allow you to record your pain and discomfort throughout the day Informing the police of an accurate account of what happened at the scene is crucial, but it's recommended to note names and contact numbers for witnesses, too Witnesses may be able to provide additional details that will aid the police in their investigation, and also should you have to make an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit in the future In addition to the official police report, ensure that you obtain a copy of the crash report from the insurance company of the party at fault company This report will help in determining liability for the accident and its related damages, such as medical bills, property damage or lost wages, as well as other compensable expenses Discussions with the Insurance Company If you're dealing directly with a large insurance company following an accident, it is best to work with an experienced attorney https//vimeocom/709860632 can deal with the insurance adjusters on your behalf and typically negotiate settlements that are significantly higher Your lawyer will gather financial documents from your employer, bank accounts, and investments to show how the accident has affected your earnings They will also seek medical records from your health care providers to back up your injury claim You may be required to participate in an interview or take a deposition on the incident in order to obtain an official record Then, they will go through all evidence and consult with experts to determine the value of your non-economic losses After assembling all the necessary details, they draft a letter of demand to be sent to the insurance company that is at fault The document will describe the facts of the situation and the legal reasons for why their insured is responsible under NY law, and also make an appeal for compensation Insurance companies typically respond with a low-ball counteroffer Your lawyer will assist you determine whether to accept the counteroffer, deny it, or go back to discussions You must be careful in dealing with the insurance company because what you say may harm your case Do not admit guilt or promise to not sue This can be used in court later against you Avoid making statements about your injuries and how the accident happened because they could be used to lower your claim A seasoned Long Island car accident lawyer will assist you in handling insurance company's negotiations They can evaluate the offer and provide information on what you are entitled to in terms of financial compensation is concerned, and also what medical care or other expenses you may need in the future Insurance companies can be a challenge and will employ a variety of strategies to convince you to accept a lower offer Be assertive when negotiating and remember that any settlement must be written This will prevent an unprofessional adjuster from making a claim over the phone and denying it later