How to Gather Evidence for Your Accident Case A specialist in accident reconstruction will maximize the value of your case through analyzing all the forces involved in the accident. They can also provide information into your injuries and quantify the damages you've suffered. You'll be required to provide proof of the damages you sustained, including medical expenses and other expenses out of pocket. https://vimeo.com/709638767 should be collected as soon as you can after the accident. Get Assistance If you're involved in a car accident and require medical attention, seeking immediate medical attention should always be your top priority. If you're able collect as much information at the scene of the accident as you can. Utilize the camera or video feature of your phone to take photos of the vehicles involved. Take photos of the skid marks, damages, and anything else you think might be useful. Inquire anyone who was present on the scene to provide you their contact details and a brief description of what they saw. However, be careful not to share any personal information about your insurance coverage or the limits of your policy. Look for any cameras that may have caught this accident, such a red light or a security camera. Find the person who is responsible for those cameras, so you can request copies of the footage later. Documenting the expenses you incur is a vital step. In certain instances, you can get compensation for money you spent on things such as the rental of a car during the time your vehicle was being repaired or a trip from and back to work while you were recovering from an injury. Additionally, you can seek compensation for future and past lost wages if your injuries prevent you from working or result in less than anticipated earnings in the future. Be sure to keep your records of all medical expenses related to the accident. If your injuries result in permanent disability, you might be able to claim damages to cover future costs for care including modifications to your home or assistive devices that allow you remain at home or at work. You may also be able to claim compensation for other financial losses, such as the cost of a caregiver or replacement for household services in the event that your injuries hinder you from doing these tasks on your own. Gathering Evidence In any case of accident the first step is to gather as the evidence you can. The guidelines for presenting evidence in the courtroom differ from state to state, however there are certain types of evidence that are effective in almost all accidents. Witness Testimony In case of an accident eyewitness testimony is essential. It offers a factual retelling of the accident that will help determine the source of the fault. Witnesses can come from a variety of sources, such as pedestrians who are in the vicinity or drivers of vehicles in the vicinity as well as family members or friends. They might have a mobile to hand that can be used to record their statement or they might choose to simply write down the details. Photographic Evidence Photographs of the scene are the most evident evidence of the accident. The evidence can include a road that has been slick, broken glasses, and the damage to the vehicles involved in the accident. This could be due to environmental factors such as traffic signals and construction sites which may have contributed to the crash. Police Reports The police reports generated after any type of car crash are essential in a suit involving a car crash. They can include the officer's assessment of who was responsible for the accident, as well in any traffic violations that were committed by the driver. It's important to get an official copy of the report as soon as possible, or at least while it's being written so that you can have the opportunity to verify the accuracy of the information. Contact Information for Witnesses It's a good idea collect as much information from any witnesses who may have witnessed the accident. Ask to have their names as well as contact information so that your attorney can interview them for a statement about what they witnessed during the incident and its immediate aftermath. Medical Records If you're injured in an auto accident, it will be important to keep track of all your medical appointments. These records will help keep track of the injuries you've suffered and will aid your legal team in calculating how much compensation you're entitled to for your injuries. Documenting Your Injury You should take pictures and videos of the accident site if you can do so without risking your health. You can draw a realistic picture of the scene using your smartphone or camera that you have attached to your vehicle. The pictures should include the cars and any visible injuries or damage caused by the accident. It is important to keep track of any skid marks, road conditions and other information that could aid in forming a more precise picture of the incident. Always seek medical assistance as soon as is possible after the incident, even if your injuries seem to be minor at the time. Many injuries, including soft tissue neck and back pain may take a few days or even weeks to manifest themselves. If you see a doctor, you will have more evidence to back your claim that the incident caused the injury and loss. Keep the track of the medical costs and treatment. You should keep receipts for prescriptions and medical equipment, and for travel to and from medical appointments. These are all expenses you could be able to receive compensation for. You should also keep your own diary or journal of your injury and the symptoms it causes that will allow you to record the daily intensity of your discomfort. Informing the police of an accurate account of what transpired at the scene is important, but it's recommended to take down names and contact details for witnesses, too. The witnesses may be able give additional details that can assist the police in their investigation, and in the event that you ever need to file an injury lawsuit or claim with an insurance company in the future. You should also get an insurance company of the party who was at the fault. This report is useful for determining the extent of liability for the accident, as well in determining the damages that could be incurred, including property damage medical expenses, lost wages and other compensationable costs. Negotiating with the Insurance Company It is always best to hire an experienced lawyer when dealing with a large insurance company after an accident. These lawyers can deal with the insurance adjusters on your behalf and typically negotiate significantly higher settlement amounts. Your lawyer will ask for financial documents from your employer as well as bank accounts to illustrate the impact of the accident on your earnings. They will also seek medical records from your health care providers to support your injury claim. They may have to speak with you in person or ask witnesses to the incident to get an official report. They will then look over all evidence and consult experts when determining how much your noneconomic damages are worth. After gathering all the information and analyzing the information, they'll draft a demand letter to send to the insurance company that is at fault. The document will explain the facts, explain the legal reasons that their insured is liable under NY law, and request compensation. Insurance companies usually respond with an offer that is low-ball. Your lawyer can help you decide whether to accept the counteroffer, deny it, or go back to negotiations. You should be cautious when dealing with the insurance company because what you say can harm your case. Do not admit to the fault of the accident or pledge not to sue because this can be used against you in the future in court. It is also important to refrain from making statements about your injuries or how the accident occurred, as these could be twisted around to decrease your claim. An experienced Long Island car accident lawyer can assist you through the insurance company's negotiations. They'll be able review the offer made and provide you with an estimate of the amount you're entitled in terms of financial compensation and what medical treatments or expenses you will need in the future. Insurance companies can be a challenge and they will use many strategies to convince you to accept a lower offer. Be firm in your negotiations and remember that settlements must be documented. This will stop an unprofessional adjuster from making a claim over the phone and then not denying it later.