How to Gather Evidence for Your Accident Case A specialist in accident reconstruction will maximize the value of your case through analyzing the force that caused the crash They can also provide insight into your injuries and the amount of damage you have sustained You will be required to provide proof of your losses, including medical expenses and other out of pocket costs The evidence you collect should be taken within the shortest time possible following the accident Finding Help In the case of a car accident it is essential to focus on seeking medical attention as soon as you can If you are able to, gather as much information from the scene of the accident as is possible Make use of your phone's camera or video camera to take pictures of the vehicles involved, the damage, skid marks and anything else that might help your case later on You can ask anyone who was at the scene to provide you their contact information as well as a short description of what they saw Be careful not to divulge any personal information about your insurance coverage or policy limits Also, look for cameras within the area that could have captured the accident for example, red light or security cameras Try to find out who runs the cameras, so that you can request copies of the footage later It is also essential In some cases, you can recover compensation for the money you have spent on things such as a rental car when your vehicle is being repaired, or transportation to and from work while you recover from injuries You may also be able to seek compensation for lost wages in the past as well as in the future if injuries prevent or reduce your earnings in the future Keep the track of the medical expenses incurred due to the collision If your injuries cause an ongoing disability, it may be possible to seek damages to cover future medical expenses This could include home modifications and assistive devices that let you continue to live at home or at work You can also claim compensation for other financial losses, including the cost for a caregiver or replacement for household services in the event that your injuries hinder you from carrying out these tasks on your own Gathering Evidence In any accident situation, the first step is to gather as the evidence you can The guidelines for presenting evidence in a courtroom vary from state to state however there are certain types of evidence that will be helpful in the majority of accidents Witness Testimony Eyewitness testimony is vital when it comes to accidents It is a factual account of the incident which will aid in determining the cause Witnesses can come from a variety of sources, including pedestrians in the vicinity, drivers of nearby vehicles or even friends or family members They may have a smartphone on their person that could be used to keep track of their statement or simply write down the details Photographic Evidence The most obvious type of photographic evidence is photos taken of the scene of an accident The evidence could include scuffs on the road broken glasses, skid marks on the road, and the damage to the vehicles involved in the accident It could also be due to environmental factors, such as construction sites or traffic signals which could have contributed to the accident Police Reports The police reports produced following any kind of motor vehicle crash are vital to a car crash lawsuit The reports may include the officer's opinion on the person who was at fault for the accident, as also any traffic violations that either driver committed You should obtain an original copy as soon as you can, or at least in the time that the report is still being completed This will allow you to verify the accuracy of the data Contact Information for Witnesses It's always recommended to gather as much information as possible from any witnesses who could have witnessed the accident Make sure you have their names as well as contact information so that your lawyer can ask them to give a statement about what they saw during the incident and the immediate aftermath Medical Records If you're injured in a vehicle accident, it's essential to keep track of all medical appointments These records will record the injuries that you've sustained and will help your legal team calculate the amount of compensation you're entitled for your injuries Documenting your injuries You should capture photos and videos of the accident site in the event that you are able to do so without placing your health in danger You can create realistic images of the accident scene by using your smartphone or a camera that is attached to your vehicle The pictures should include the cars and any visible injuries or damages caused by the accident It is important to note any road conditions, skid marks and other details that may help in creating a more precise image of the accident Always seek medical treatment as soon as you can after the accident even if your injuries appear to be minor at the time Many injuries, including soft tissues neck and back injuries may take a few days or even weeks to manifest The sooner you see an expert doctor, the more reliable evidence you can use to prove that your injuries and losses are directly related to the accident It is also important to keep an eye on your medical expenses and treatments Keep receipts for prescriptions and equipment as well as for travel expenses to and from medical appointments These are all expenses that you may be able to receive compensation for Keep a diary or journal about your injury, and include the symptoms you are experiencing This will help you record your everyday pain It is crucial to provide the police a complete account of the incident However it is also suggested to note down the names and contact numbers of any witnesses Witnesses may be capable of providing additional information which will assist the police with their investigation, and in the event you need to submit an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit in the future You should also obtain a copy from the insurance company of the party that was at fault This report will help in determining the extent of liability for the accident and its related damages, including property damage, medical bills or lost wages, as well as other expenses that are compensable Negotiating with the Insurance Company It is an excellent idea to employ an experienced lawyer in the event that you have to deal with a large insurance company following an accident They can negotiate better settlements and handle insurance adjusters on your behalf Your lawyer will gather financial documents from your bank accounts, employer and investments to demonstrate how the accident impacted your earnings They will also request medical records from your doctor to support your claim for compensation You may be required to participate in an interview or give an account of the accident to get an official report They will then review all evidence and consult with experts when determining what your non-economic damages are worth After obtaining all the information They will then write a demand note to send to the insurance company that is at fault This document will provide the facts, state the legal basis for why their insured is liable under NY law and demand compensation Insurance companies often respond with an offer of low-cost Your attorney will assist you in deciding whether you want to accept, decline or go back to discussions about the counteroffer You should be cautious when dealing with the insurance company since what you say could damage your case Don't admit to fault or swear to not to sue This could be used later in court against you It is also important to not make any claims about your injuries or how the accident occurred, as these could be twisted around to diminish your claim An experienced Long Island car accident lawyer can assist you through the insurance company negotiations https//vimeocom/709648351 can evaluate the offer and provide guidance on what you're entitled to in terms of financial compensation is concerned, and also what medical care or other expenses you might require in the future Insurance companies can be very tricky and they can employ a variety of methods to convince you to accept a lower price Negotiate firmly and always remember that settlements must be documented This will prevent an unprofessional insurance adjuster from making a claim over the phone only to deny it later