Posted on Monday, October 7th, 2019 at 7:20 pm
An accidental injury can result in a variety of injuries, losses, and damages. Insurance companies go to great lengths to pay as little as possible (preferably nothing) to resolve injury claims. If you have sustained an injury because of a fall, traffic accident, defective product, or other incident caused by another party, you might be entitled to compensation for your injuries and losses. However, you must prove fault and damages to recover compensation. Gathering evidence for an injury claim begins immediately after the accident and continues throughout your medical treatment and recovery.
1. Photographs and Videos
Immediately after the accidental injury, take photographs and make videos of the accident scene, property damage, injuries, and other evidence that might help your California personal injury lawyer piece together what happened immediately before your injury. Experts, such as accident reconstructionists, can use this evidence and other evidence they gather to help prove the other party was responsible for causing your injuries.
2. Eyewitness Statements
Ask bystanders for their names and contact information after the accident. Eyewitnesses can provide key testimony that helps prove fault in an accident case.
3. Insurance Information and Contact Details
Ask the parties involved in the accidental injury or incident to write down their names, addresses, contact information, and insurance information. You may also be asked to provide this information to the other parties involved. When you meet with your Sacramento accident attorney, bring all the information about the parties and insurance coverage, including your insurance coverage, to the meeting.
4. Police Report or Accident Report
The report made by the police, a manager, or another party can provide valuable information for your case. Obtain a copy of these reports (or contact an attorney for help) as soon as possible after your accident.
5. Videos from Other Sources
Video from traffic cameras, red-light cameras, and surveillance cameras in the area may have captured the moments before and after the accident. These videos could be essential evidence for your personal injury claim. If the owner of the video refuses to provide a copy of the footage, make a note of the person’s name and contact information for your attorney. Your attorney can subpoena the videos if necessary.
6. Medical Records
As you receive treatment for your accidental injury, keep copies of all medical records and information you receive from your health care providers. Try to take detailed notes during every visit to help you remember what your doctors said about your progress and your prognosis. Your attorney will obtain official copies of all medical records for your case, but it can help to have notes that might not be included in the records.
7. Financial Records
You may be entitled to compensation for your lost wages after an accidental injury. Keep a detailed log of all income and benefits you lose because of the accident, your injuries, and your recovery. Gather together records that prove your income before the accident, such as your tax returns, W2 statements, 1099 statements, and records related to bonuses, raises, and commissions.
8. Proof of Financial Losses and Expenses
Record any expenses you incur because of the accident or your injuries, including travel expenses, help with housekeeping, assistance with yard maintenance, etc. You will need proof of each expense, such as invoices, bills, and receipts of payment.
Contact a Sacramento Personal Injury Attorney for Help
Documenting your damages and gathering evidence to prove fault can be difficult when you are focused on your injuries and recovery. Our legal team can help you by taking over a substantial portion of these duties.
Contact our Sacramento personal injury attorneys for a free consultation by calling The Tiemann Law Firm at (916) 999-9000 or by visiting our website.
