When filing a personal injury claim one of the key elements in the case will be the evidence presented by your legal team to prove the at-fault party’s liability. Your attorney will determine the types of evidence needed to support your claim and obtain compensation from the party that caused your accident. Every personal injury case is unique and will require different types of documents to prove your injuries and obtain damages. Contacting a lawyer early on after an accident will help you determine what types of documents you should start collecting to improve your chances of securing compensation.

Evidence to Support Your Claim

Police accident report

When police are called to the scene of the accident, they will write an official accident report that you can use to support your case. This report is useful because it provides an unbiased and detailed description of the accident. It includes details of who were the parties involved in the accident, how it occurred, damages resulting from the accident, and other information that will help prove your injury claim. Your personal injury attorney can obtain a police accident report by requesting it to the corresponding law enforcement agency.

Medical records

When requesting compensation for injuries sustained during an accident, the at-fault party will need proof of these injuries. Medical records show what injuries you suffered from the accident, the expenses you have incurred from treating these injuries, and if you will require future medical assistance. Make sure that you keep medical documents such as:

  • Emergency room records
  • Medical bills
  • Receipts for prescription drugs
  • Records from physical therapists
  • Receipts from medical bills that have been paid

Having proof of your injuries and medical expenses will make it easier for your legal team to claim damages to cover all these costs. If you have received psychological help to deal with the aftermath of the accident, you can also claim these expenses as pain and suffering damages, make sure you keep proof of these bills and any medication your doctor prescribes.

Witness statements

Witness testimony is an important piece of evidence that can help you achieve the maximum compensation possible in your injury claim. They provide an objective and unbiased perspective of the accident. If possible, gather contact information from any witnesses to your accident so your legal team can interview them in the future and obtain the necessary facts to support your personal injury case.

Photographs from the scene of the accident, injuries, and property damage

Following the accident take photos of your property damage, injuries, scene of the accident, and other details you believe may be relevant and that could help your claim. You can also take pictures of your injuries as you recover, to show the at-fault party how it has affected your life. Video such as street cameras, a dash cam, or a businesses’ surveillance footage could show how the accident happened and help your legal team with your case.

Preserving evidence after any type of accident will help you and your legal team build a strong personal injury case. The evidence you obtain will support your claim for compensation from the at-fault party. It’s important to not only preserve evidence but also to communicate with your attorney about every document you have related to your accident. Even if you are unsure if a document will help your case, let your legal team know and they will determine if it should be included in the case. Contact an injury lawyer after an accident to determine what evidence you should keep to help with your claim.