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5 Auto Accident Claim Lessons From The Professionals
Preserving and Protecting Evidence in a Car Accident Case

If liability is disputed, there could be a large gap between the insurance company's claim and the totality of your injuries. This is particularly true when the insurance company blames your crash on something other than your own negligence.

During this period the team will be asking for information from the opposing side via interrogatories and depositions. These questions will be put to the other driver as witnesses.

Conserving Evidence

In a case involving a car accident the evidence you possess can significantly increase your chances of winning settlement and recovering damages. It is important to preserve and secure any evidence you may have after a car accident.


Thanks to the advances in technology, this is now easier than ever. Smartphones can be used to capture high-quality photos and videos of the scene of the crash. These tools can help you capture evidence that could otherwise be lost or destroyed.

The crash site itself as well as any witnesses are the most crucial pieces of evidence. Ideally, you should attempt to capture the accident scene as it was prior to the collision. This could comprise all vehicles involved in the crash, any skid marks on the roadway or other surfaces, traffic signals, weather conditions as well as other factors that are relevant to the crash.

It is also advisable to contact nearby businesses to ask them to preserve any evidence that is relevant to your case. If you were struck by a vehicle and asked that its black box be preserved this could be beneficial to your claim.

It may also be beneficial to request a test for the drug of the other driver if you suspect they were intoxicated or taking drugs. The tests could prove that the driver was drunk or distracted which could be a clear indication of their negligence in causing an accident.

Documenting your injuries

Documentation is essential in personal injury cases. Not only will this ensure that your healthcare provider is aware of your symptoms and symptoms, but it can also help your attorney prove your damages and losses when claiming damages against the liable party for negligence.

One of the most essential forms of documentation is medical records. When auto accident lawsuit santa barbara visit your doctor to seek treatment following an accident, make sure you be provided with copies of each document. These records will be used to detail your injuries, symptoms and diagnoses. Additionally, these documents record any expenses you incur in the aftermath of your accident. This is important as a lot of these expenses are reimbursed as part of your compensation claim.

Keep a diary of your physical and emotional state following the accident. It should include the type of pain you experience and the location it occurs and the length of time it lasts. It is also crucial to document any mental trauma that you may be experiencing, as juries will often award non-economic damage for this type of injury.

If you are able then it's also a good idea to take pictures of your injuries as well as the scene of the crash. You can take photos of the car you are driving, other vehicles that were involved in the accident and any other damage to objects (such a building or a sign). It is best to take several photos of each object from various angles so that investigators can discern the exact cause for the accident.

Collecting witness statements

Ideally, witness testimony should be collected as soon as possible after an accident. Keep in mind that people's memories fade over time. It is recommended to ask witnesses to provide their statements as soon as they can. The more detail you can provide the more information you can provide. It is also recommended that an interview with a witness is recorded (with their permission of course) as it will ensure a true version of what they experienced.

You should also seek out witnesses who are not within the immediate vicinity of your accident. For instance, you could be able to ask employees of local businesses whether they witnessed your accident. This could result in the footage of your accident being recorded on a security camera at a store.

You should also make sure that any statements made by witnesses do not contain thoughts, feelings or speculations regarding the outcomes of the accident or sentimental feelings towards you or the other victims involved. These statements could undermine your credibility, especially when they're contradicted by other witnesses. Avoid asking anyone who is familiar with the person responsible for your injuries, or works for their employer to provide evidence. They may attempt to try and influence your claim on behalf of the company they represent. You may not get the amount of compensation you need in this case.

Contacting an attorney

Consider whether an attorney has the resources to conduct an extensive investigation into your accident. This could include visiting the crash site, interviewing witnesses and gathering other evidence about the crash and your injuries.

Once your attorney has viewed all the documentation they can find, they'll begin a settlement negotiation process with the insurance company for the driver who is at fault. The goal of this is to secure a fair settlement without the need for a trial. Your lawyer may need to talk with the insurance company multiple times before a settlement is reached.

The severity of your injury will have a major impact on the amount of compensation that you receive. Acute injuries are often the cause of more expensive medical bills and long-lasting effects that require more extensive care. For example, some car accident victims may require surgery to correct long-term injuries caused by an accident. These expenses would be reflected in the total cost of your damages.

Your attorney will also take into consideration your future medical needs as well as the decreased quality of life that is a result of your injuries. For instance, if you are permanently injured in a crash that resulted in the need to renovate your home to enable you to access all areas of it and the costs associated with this can be included in your non-economic damages.

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