Revisited: How To Gather Evidence For Your Personal Injury Lawsuit

July 29, 2015 @ 9:14 am

Accidents can happen at any time, to anyone. It is impossible to prepare to deal with the repercussions of someone else’s negligence. If you are the victim of an accident, you likely may be overcome with pain and temporarily unable to work. You may begin to fall behind on your bills and worry about both the short-and long-term outlook for you and your family. At some point, you should consider collecting information, and pursue a civil action, against the party that caused the accident.

Consider the Timing

Scrambling to prepare for a personal injury case is a hassle, especially if you begin this process while you are still recovering from your injuries. Pick a timetable that works for you, while keeping in mind that the more time you take to act could potentially hurt your case. It’s best to choose a law firm that specializes in personal injury to help you through the entire process of recovering damages for your accident-related injuries.

Review the Facts

Write down the details of the event. If you were knocked unconscious, there may be little or nothing to recall from the event. Remember, you want to mention everything you remember from that day as well as the effects that your injuries have created on your life. This includes all injuries and feelings as well as a list of medical procedures and rehabilitative treatments you have endured in recovery.

Trust the Experts

Hiring an attorney is the next best step for people who don’t take action right after the accident. Without expert advice, you might be harming your case by talking to insurance companies and their investigators about the accident. A lawyer will handle all communications for you, including representing you for recorded statements and sharing other evidence with the defendant’s insurance company. Whatever you say from the date of the accident onward could end up being mentioned in court, perhaps to discredit you or dispute your claim.

Collect the Evidence

Many items of evidence are available to you as the victim and can help your case, including photographs of the scene where the accident occurred. Shoot these pictures at the same time of day from several angles. Get copies of the accident report, police report, property damage estimates, photographs of injuries, medical bills and records, evidence of lost wages from all employers, witness statements, and investigator reports. Follow up with the police department to find out if any charges were filed against the defendant. Your attorney may represent you in giving any statements in a related criminal case.

Get Legal Help

Keep all of your documents in one place and in their original condition. This is the perfect time to give them all at once to a qualified personal injury lawyer. The attorneys of Morrow, Morrow, Ryan & Bassett are here to help you with over four decades of experience as you pursue a personal injury lawsuit in Louisiana.