What Evidence Is Crucial for a Successful Car Accident Injury Claim?

If you’ve been injured in an accident, filing an injury claim may be the best way to get compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other related costs. However, to build a strong claim, you need clear evidence to prove fault, demonstrate your injuries, and show the extent of the damages. Here’s a short overview from a car accident injury lawyer in San Antonio of some of the most important types of evidence.

What Evidence Is Necessary for a Successful Car Accident Injury Claim? Advice from a Car Accident Injury Lawyer in San Antonio

Police Reports

When law enforcement arrives at the scene of an accident, they document the incident, noting details such as the time, location, and involved parties. This report also often includes statements from witnesses, observations of damage, and even the officer’s assessment of fault. You or your attorney should obtain the police report of the accident to show the circumstances of the accident and corroborate your version of the events.

Photographic Evidence

Immediately after the accident, if you are able, take pictures of the vehicles involved, any visible injuries, road conditions, and other relevant surroundings like traffic signs or skid marks. Photos from multiple angles are a good idea, to show different perspectives of the scene as well as pictures from a distance to capture the context of the location. If your injuries evolve over time, such as if bruises worsen, for example, it’s wise to photograph those changes too.

Medical Records

Your medical records are the most direct evidence of the physical harm you’ve suffered as a result of the accident. Keep records from every doctor’s visit, diagnosis, treatment plan, and prescription. If records are not immediately available to you, you can request them. Detailed records can show the seriousness of your injuries and link them directly to the accident, which is vital when you’re seeking compensation for medical expenses.

Medical records can also help establish the need for future treatment. If you’ll require ongoing physical therapy or long-term care, having this documented by a medical professional strengthens your claim for damages. Additionally, keeping copies of medical bills can help to show the financial burden the accident has caused.

Witness Statements

Statements from people who saw the accident can confirm important facts about how the accident occurred, such as who had the right of way or whether any drivers appeared distracted or reckless. If possible, gather the contact information of any witnesses immediately after the accident. Written or recorded statements can also be obtained later with the help of an attorney.

Witnesses may offer details you didn’t notice, and their accounts can help clarify disputes over how the accident occurred. Testimonies from third parties with no vested interest in the case’s outcome can be very helpful in supporting your claim.

Surveillance Footage

Traffic cameras, security cameras from nearby businesses, or even footage from nearby homes may have captured the accident. This footage can provide an accurate, real-time record of the crash and can be valuable in supporting your claim. If there is relevant footage, your attorney can help request it to use as evidence. Click here to find out more.

Strong evidence in support of your claim increases the likelihood of obtaining fair compensation for your injuries and the damages you’ve suffered.