Preserving Evidence After a Personal Injury Accident

After an accident it is very important that that you do your very best to preserve evidence and document your injuries.

After this period of time it becomes increasingly difficult to protect your case and make sure that all possible evidence has been obtained. You should follow these steps whenever possible to ensure that you have done everything in your power to protect your case.

Return to the Accident Scene
If this is a possibility you should return to the scene of the accident as soon as you can so that you can take photographs and see if any evidence has been left behind. If there are any conditions that you believe contributed to causing the accident, make sure to photograph them.

When you take photographs you should do so from multiple angles, including your own point of view at the time of the accident, at the same time of day as when the accident happened. If you were involved in an car accident, you should try to take a picture around the time of day the accident happened, as traffic patterns are important. Photographs can help you, your attorney, and the insurance company, better understand what happened so that you have a better chance of getting a fair settlement.

Keep a lookout for any witnesses who may have observed the accident and might have any insights. You should get their contact information.

Physical Evidence
Physical evidence is crucial to proving your case or getting a fair settlement. If the accident was the result of a condition caused by another person’s negligence like a broken stair or an overhanging branch, or if there is physical evidence like vehicle damage proving the accident occurred, it is important to get documentation of this.

Any physical evidence from the accident you should try to preserve. Take pictures of vehicle damage, keep bloody clothes, take pictures of your injuries, etc. The more physical evidence you have, the more difficult it will be for an insurance company to deny or undervalue your claim.

Witness Statements
Witnesses may be able to confirm your story or your injuries if they saw the accident or if they saw you and your injuries following the accident. A witness may have heard another party admit fault or they may have some other piece of information that can reinforce your claim. It is important to act quickly in finding and interviewing witnesses because as time passes they may be less likely to remember specifics.

Document Injuries
Seek medical treatment as soon as possible as a way to protect your health and document your injuries. A medical report and doctor’s opinion can be very important. Make sure to take pictures of every single bruise, cut, swelling, or other physical injury, as well as of whatever treatment the doctor performs. This could mean bandages , splints, or other medical devices.

Claiming you are injured in an accident and attempting to recover compensation if you have failed to seek prompt medical treatment can be next to impossible. While it is true that some injuries or symptoms may not appear until days, weeks, or even months later, if you are aware of any injuries, you should seek medical treatment immediately. If you do not, the insurance company will probably deny your claim, saying that you were never really injured.

Legal Options

If you preserve all of this physical evidence, your chances of making a successful personal injury claim are much higher. Another factor that can impact your case is whether you have legal representation. Contact a Missouri personal injury attorney at the Zevan and Davidson Law Firm following an accident to discuss your legal options and to get advice as to how successfully pursue compensation.

To schedule a free and private consultation, call us today at (314) 588-7200.

photo credit: Pargon