If you have been injured in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering. However, you must be able to establish through evidence that the car accident was the other driver’s fault.
Gathering evidence to prove the other driver was at fault for your car accident can help you secure the compensation you deserve for the injuries and losses you suffered a result of the collision.
During a free, no obligation consultation with Simien & Simien’s auto accident lawyers in Baton Rouge, we will discuss your accident and review the evidence that may help to support your claim. This evidence can include:
Police Report
After a car accident, it is important that you contact law enforcement to report the accident. This will help to establish when the accident occurred and provide a police report detailing the accident.
The police report will stand as the responding police officer’s official account of the events that occurred during the accident, the factors he or she believes caused the accident and which party is at fault.
Additionally, the police report should also state important information about the accident, including the:
Names of the drivers involved in the accident
Contact information of each driver and witness
Drivers’ insurance information
Driver’s license numbers
Drivers’ License plate numbers
Names of witnesses who saw the accident occur
The police report can be used as an important tool when discussing a settlement with the at-fault party’s insurance company. This includes using the police report to link your injuries to the car accident and establish the other driver is responsible for your damages.
Photographs of the Scene
Other important types of evidence that can be used to support your car accident claim are pictures and videos that provide a visual depiction of the crash and accident scene.
By taking pictures at the scene of the accident, you can accurately depict the damage that occurred during the accident and important details of the surrounding area.
The photographic evidence you take should include:
The damage inflicted on both vehicles
The other driver’s vehicle and license plate number
Images of the road signs
Pictures of the accident scene
Skid marks on the roadway
Traffic signals and devices surrounding the accident scene
Opposing angles of the accident to provide a complete view of the scene
Eyewitness Information
If you believe another person saw your auto accident occur, try to collect his or her name and contact information to be used a witness to support your claim.
A witness can provide an objective account of what they may have seen when the accident occurred. This can include the behavior of the other driver and whether his or her negligence caused the accident.
You can provide the witnesses’ name and contact information to your attorney so that he or she can use the witness to testify for your case, if necessary.
Medical Records Documenting Your Injury
It is important to seek medical assistance after being injured in a car accident. These records indicate the link between your injury and the accident.
They also show that you sought treatment after the accident and have taken steps to heal after your injuries.
Additionally, medical records can be used to establish the extent of your injuries. This can include records of:
Emergency room visits
Hospital admittance or stays
Treatment from a specialist
Physical therapy
Medical bills
Prescription medication
You may also want to request your medical records from your primary care physician detailing the condition of your health before the accident. This can show a contrast of how your physical health has been affected as a result of the accident.
Employment Records
If you were prevented from working because of your injury, you may be entitled to compensation for the wages you lost during this time. However, you will need evidence that states how much income you may have been prevented from earning.
This can include pay stubs stating your average rate of pay when the accident occurred or a signed letter from your employer indicating your official job title, rate of pay, average number of hours and estimated lost wages.
Contact a Lawyer for Help
If you have been injured in a car accident where you believe the other driver is at fault, you may be entitled to compensation for your lost wages, medical expenses and pain and suffering.
At Simien & Simien, our Baton Rouge personal injury lawyers have represented numerous car accident victims obtain the justice and compensation they deserve. We know how to effectively build a case using solid evidence that supports your claim and shows how the at-fault party’s negligence caused your injury.
Do not hesitate to schedule a free, no obligation consultation to discuss your claim with our attorneys and determine if you have a case against the at-fault party. We only charge our clients if we recover compensation for their claim.
