Pursuing compensation after a car accident for property damages, medical bills, lost income, and other losses often involves filing a compensation claim. Proving liability and the full extent of damages suffered requires collecting and organizing extensive documentation. Attempting this while struggling with accident injuries poses major challenges.
Get help from a car accident attorney who can guide you to gather suitable evidence following a car collision. Use the comprehensive checklist below to ensure you take all the necessary steps to support and resolve your car accident claim.
Police Report
Be sure to get a copy of the full police report from the accident. This crucial document should give details on:
- All vehicles involved and the names of the drivers and passengers
- Where precisely did the crash happen and how it took place
- Which driver was found at fault by the police
- Diagrams drawn by officers showing the position of cars before and after impact
- Additional investigative findings about the factors causing the collision
Also, request to get any of the police’s original accident scene photos, if available. Plus, ask if officers took precise measurements mapping out any skid marks or debris fields’ positioning vehicles.
Medical Records
- Collect records that show the diagnoses and treatments directly related to injuries from the collision
- List all ambulance rides, hospital visits, exams, scans, and lab tests
- Keep track of prescription medications, equipment, and therapies related to the injuries
- Get permission forms from doctors and nurses to share the records
Carefully gathering medical proof strongly supports injury claims. It creates a clear link between the harm and the accident.
Insurance Paperwork
- Look over insurance cards and policy papers to confirm coverage
- Write down the policy limits for bodily injury liability, medical payments, and uninsured motorist coverage
- Get copies of letters from the insurance company and claim paperwork
Checking all insurance information helps with negotiations. It also shows the possible maximum payouts under the policy.
Employment and Wage Details
- Get proof of your mode of income
- Record your ability to work and earnings before and after the accident
- Get written confirmation from employers about missed work directly due to the crash injuries
Solid proof of lost wages from the accident allows for the calculation and recovery of these losses.
Receipts and Bill Statements
- Keep receipts listing costs for fixing or replacing property
- Record copays for medical visits, prescriptions, and things bought for injuries
- Look over expense records before filing insurance claims
Saving proof of accident costs supports getting repaid.
Relevant Photos and Video Evidence
- Collect photos of the scene showing things like weather, lighting, and road design
- Take pictures of property damage and injuries
- Get any video from cameras or eyewitnesses, if possible
- Record demonstrations of physical limitations due to the crash
Visual proof makes a strong case by showing essential details
Gathering Digital Evidence
- Save electronic messages about the accident and claim process
- Take screenshots showing key dates, statements, and policy details
- Save data from electronic health records
- Download data from vehicle systems and smart devices that recorded the crash
- Ask for traffic camera video or other digital videos of the collision
Keeping digital documents, messages, media, and vehicle data proves what happened. A lawyer can help gather crucial electronic evidence and guide how to use it properly.
Written Description of Accident Events
- Write a formal statement explaining what you remember before, during, and after the crash
- Work with your lawyer to answer questions and give interviews so timeline details stay consistent
Writing down accurate descriptions of what happened makes a stronger case against insurance companies trying to shift the blame.
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