Did you know that about 20 to 50 million people suffer non-fatal car crash injuries each year? Most of these people end up incurring disabilities. Car crashes, whether fatal or non-fatal, can potentially affect your quality of life.
Fortunately, you can file for damages claim to get compensation. Your claim’s success will depend on the evidence you present to prove that the other party was at fault. You’ll also need to prove that you sustained injuries or damages in the accident.
When meeting lawyers for car accidents, you have to provide information that will help with your case. Here are 6 documents that you’ll need when talking to your lawyer.
1. Information Provided at the Scene of the Accident
You’ll need to collect relevant information at the scene of the accident. Often, drivers involved in the accident exchange their names, contact details, addresses, drivers’ licenses, and insurance information. The details will help your attorney in gathering the proof needed for the case.
If you have a smartphone or camera, you can take photos and videos of the vehicles involved in the accident and other images to show the at-fault party. You can only share the information with your attorney to assist with the legal process. Your insurance representative at the scene of the accident might have images or video recordings to show evidence of damage.
You can further request witnesses to provide you with any pictures they might have taken at the accident scene. Check also if the place where the accident occurred has cameras that capture events in real-time. Getting the recordings will be a major boost for your case.
2. Copies of Police Records and Report
The police often arrive at the scene of the accident with the first respondents. Typically, they draft a report based on the information they gather at the scene. At that point, they make a preliminary ruling on the party that caused the accident.
Police officers often create a diagram to show motor vehicles’ and pedestrians’ position at the accident scene. They also establish whether the parties involved violated the traffic rules. If there are issues such as drunk driving, the case may take another turn.
The police officers also take statements from drivers, passengers, and witnesses. When making a car accident compensation claim, your attorney will request the report to start the investigations. You’ll need to provide accident details such as the parties involved, accident date, and location for you to get a copy.
3. Citations or Tickets Related to the Car Accident
In a car accident, one or more parties might get traffic tickets for breaking a traffic rule. If a driver was drunk driving, speeding, texting, or driving unsafely, the officers reviewing the accident will give a ticket based on the offense. You might get a traffic ticket, which will be used against you in filing for a personal injury claim.
Your attorney can review the presented information if you’ve been given a ticket for violating traffic rules. An experienced lawyer will try to argue out your case to show that despite the citation, you weren’t responsible for the accident. It would be best to consider lawyers for car accidents that have dealt with claims that have citations.
Nonetheless, it is crucial to adhere to the traffic rules, as an accident is hardly anticipated. The last thing you’d want is a rejected claim due to drunk driving!
4. Statements
The police will ask you for a statement as a party to the accident. Other drivers involved in the accident and the witnesses will also provide their statements. The information collected is critical in establishing evidence of damage.
A representative from your auto insurance company will contact you to get a statement. You should ensure that your declarations to your insurer and police officers are consistent. Conflicting information in the two statements might work against you.
When filing for a claim, you can get copies of your insurer’s or the police’s statements. Your attorney can help you get the copies if you don’t have one when starting the legal process.
5. Copy of Your Insurance Policy
About 27% of motorists don’t have the coverage required in the state. If you’re part of these statistics, you might be in double trouble if you suffer a car accident. Lawyers for car accidents need copies of your insurance policy to establish your kind of coverage.
Your attorney will also need to review your policy to know if you’ve been making timely premiums or if the policy is expired. If your insurance doesn’t meet your state’s minimum standards or has already expired, your claim might have bottlenecks. Your lawyer will help you get a copy of your automobile insurance if you don’t have one.
Besides the auto insurance, your attorney will require copies of your health insurance. The information allows your lawyer to discuss with your cover provider how to pay for the expenses.
6. Medical Reports
After an accident, seeking medical attention should be a priority, whether you have any physical injuries or not. Your doctor will examine you thoroughly to establish whether you have any internal injuries. Medical records are critical when making your claim.
The medical reports should have treatment records for any physical therapy or psychological care received after the accident. The medical records allow your lawyer to establish the cumulative amount you spent on the after-accident medical care. The report further establishes if you had other existing medical conditions that could affect the claim.
You might want to keep receipts of all medical expenses. Ensure that you have all the documents for out-of-pocket expenses. The medical reports provide the evidence needed to show the financial damages you suffered.
Lawyers for Car Accidents Are a Resource If You Want to Win a Claim
Getting compensation for a car accident isn’t always easy. The insurance company will try to water down your claim. Lawyers for car accidents expect victims to have the right documents to help with the case.
It is crucial to have statements, police records, medical reports, insurance, and any given tickets. Possession of these documents will give your lawyer enough proof to argue out your case.
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