When you are injured badly enough to file a personal injury claim against another driver, you are going to need proof to back your statements up. It is pretty rare for the person who caused the auto accident to simply admit guilt. Therefore, the more proof you have that they caused your injury, the better. Ideally, you should hire an auto accident attorney who is highly experienced in cases like yours to help you through this. Try to have the following types of proof with you during your first meeting with your lawyer.
The Police Report
The police report from the auto accident is one of the single most important pieces of evidence that will be needed for your case. This report is the first, and sometimes the only, official legal record of what happened during the accident. Not only does the police report list all of the officer's observations about the cause of the accident, but it can also help determine the timeline and other circumstances of the accident.
If the other driver made any statements at the scene of the accident, these will be recorded on the police report. The responsible person may have said something during their police interview that can help establish their guilt.
Accident Scene Photos
If you have the opportunity to take a few snapshots of the accident scene, these photos may turn into valuable evidence later. While the police will certainly document the accident thoroughly, their report may or may not include detailed photos. Photos can document the position of the cars at impact, the weather conditions at the time of the accident, the extent of damage to the vehicles, and other details that may be missed in a report.
If you didn't have the opportunity to take photos at the accident scene, all hope for photographic evidence may not be lost. Discuss it with your auto accident attorney. If you contact an attorney quickly after the accident, they may still have time to dispatch an investigator to the scene, where they can document any evidence that may remain.
Naturally, there are other types of proof that can be very useful in an auto accident case. For example, if your accident had credible witnesses, you may be able to use their testimony as proof of the other driver's guilt. By using all the evidence at your disposal, you and your lawyer can work together to get a decisive win in your case!
