Years ago, you could file a car accident claim successfully if you simply described what happened to the insurance company. The economic conditions were different and the number of accidents was much smaller. At the present, as an experienced Union City car accident lawyer knows, winning a car accident case is much more difficult.
Insurance companies are more focused on their profits than on their duty. Also, no one is willing to openly admit fault, because they know that their insurance premiums will go up significantly. Thus, you have to prove your car accident case with solid, unbiased evidence.
Whether you file an insurance claim or your case goes to court, one thing is certain: as the claimant, you have the burden of proof. You have to find the evidence and present it. And this is why you need a determined and skilled Union City car accident lawyer from day one of your case.
The Police Report Is an Essential Piece of Evidence in a Car Accident Case
You already know that it is your legal obligation to report to the police any car accident resulting in bodily injury and/or at least $500 in property damage. However, it is also in your best interests to wait until the police officers complete the investigation.
They will not only look at the accident scene with a trained eye but talk to everybody present there:
- You
- The other driver or drivers involved in the crash
- Any eyewitnesses.
At the same time, as a seasoned Union City car accident lawyer knows, the police officers will check:
- The accuracy of the insurance information provided by all drivers
- Whether each driver holds a valid driver’s license
- Whether they are driving their own or a rental car.
Finally, the police report will include the names and contact details of everyone they spoke with, including eyewitnesses. This is extremely useful for your car accident case if your lawyer needs to talk to them again and obtain new testimonies.
These Are the Types of Evidence Your Lawyer Will Need to Prove Your Case
In a car accident case, you need to prove everything, from the liable party to the amount of economic and non-economic damages you seek to recover. For this reason, your Union City car accident lawyer will need to use the following:
1. Medical Reports
One of the biggest challenges in a car accident case is proving that you suffered the injuries in the respective collision and not elsewhere. This is why you should always call an ambulance or drive yourself to the nearest hospital (if you are able to do so) as soon as possible after the accident.
As your lawyer will explain to you, even a few hours can make a difference in your case. If you wait until you feel the first negative symptoms, there is a sufficient gap of time between the crash and the time a doctor saw you to plant the seed of doubt.
What if you walked away with barely a scratch from the accident and then carelessly hit your car while parking it? This is what an insurance adjuster will probably say and move on to deny your claim. A skilled lawyer may be able to overturn this decision – but the entire process will be longer and more difficult.
2. Photos and Videos You Took at the Accident Scene
You should always collect your own evidence at the crash scene. There are several reasons for this:
- the police may overlook an essential element
- you may have to move the car out of the way of oncoming traffic
- the other driver may decide to flee the scene of the accident.
Thus, you should take your mobile phone out and capture images as soon as possible after the crash. Focus on the following elements:
- your injuries
- the dents in your car
- the position of both cars right after the impact
- the license plate of the other car
- skid marks, potholes, ice sheets, and any other relevant aspects related to the condition of the road.
The Union City car accident lawyer will look very closely at these images. Without being aware of it, you may have captured an essential element that proves your car accident claim. For instance, you may have surprised the other driver with the mobile phone in their hand, and no hands-free device around them.
3. CCTV Camera Footage
In many situations, car accidents happen in areas covered by security cameras or traffic cameras. If this is the case, the Union City car accident lawyer will subpoena the recording at the moment of your crash. This is one of the most valuable types of evidence in a car accident case because it shows clearly how it happened.
4. Eyewitness Testimonies
Eyewitnesses are essential in cases of conflicting stories given by both drivers involved in a car accident. When it reaches the point of “he is guilty – no, he is!” a lawyer needs to find a reliable and unbiased source of information.
And this is why eyewitness testimonies are so valuable in a car accident case. Moreover, the people who witnessed the accident may have also taken photos and videos. These can also be used as evidence to support your claims.
5. Bills and Receipts to Justify Your Economic Damages
Last but not least, your lawyer will need to calculate your economic damages accurately. There is no room for estimations because the insurance company will demand a breakdown of your claim amount and supporting documents.
For this reason, you must keep each and all the bills and receipts for expenses related to the accident, such as:
- Hospital bills
- Receipts for refilling prescriptions
- Bills for physical therapy and all medical treatments
- Estimate for the repair of your damaged car
- Receipts for related pocket expenses.
You should also show several pay slips to your lawyer. They will indicate how much you earn per week and will help the lawyer calculate your lost wages.
Bring Any Relevant Evidence to a Skilled Union City Car Accident Lawyer!
For Gilbert Sperling, III, P.C., each client deserves justice. He is a compassionate and dedicated Union City car accident lawyer who will fight to win every dollar you deserve in compensation from the at-fault driver and their insurance company.
But you must be able to prove everything you claim in a car accident case. For this reason, you should be careful with every piece of paper related to the car crash – from the police report and initial medical evaluation to bills and receipts.
Ideally, you should bring as much evidence as you can to your free case review. This will allow a seasoned lawyer to evaluate the value and merit of your claim. If you have a case, we will represent you and win the maximum compensation you are eligible to seek!
