No one expects to find themselves in a car accident, but when it happens, you have to think about what you will say to the insurers and how you can prove that you are not at fault.
At fault or not, no one wants to pay for the damages resulting from a car accident. That’s why it’s extremely crucial that you gather enough evidence that shows how the accident happened and how it affected you and your vehicle. The more evidence you’re able to provide, the more likely you’ll get a settlement that is enough to cover the damages.
Gathering evidence right after an accident may seem difficult. Your whole world just got spin around, so your mind will more than likely be too frazzled to recall the following details. That’s where the Quinonez Law Firm comes into play. As your car accident law firm, we’ll work on your behalf to gather the right information and evidence to bolster your case. Knowing the right type of evidence to gather, especially in those first few crucial moments following the accident, can positively impact your case tremendously.
As always, the Quinonez Law Firm is here to help you make the process as smooth as possible by discussing the types of evidence you need and how to use them in your defense.
Burden of Proof
The burden of proof is the obligation to provide sufficient supporting evidence for the claims you make in a case. Even if you didn’t take the time to gather enough evidence, your insurers expect you to support and back up what you say. This could either help you or work against you, depending on how much you have to provide in addition to what you say. The burden of proof typically requires the events leading up to the accident, claims of physical injury, and anything else that may have been lost or damaged in the accident.
Evidence from the Scene
One of the best pieces of evidence you can gather at the scene is a police report. You should always call the police to request the report immediately after an accident. A police report is one of the most reliable pieces of evidence you can use during your claim. You should also take the time to gather information from the person you got in an accident with, including their name, phone number, insurance information, vehicle plate numbers, and address.
Evidence of Vehicular Damages
It doesn’t matter whether your vehicle suffered from extreme or minor damages. As long as you have a picture that shows that damage was done, you have enough evidence for insurers to analyze. A police report may also include details regarding the damages to your vehicle, which is also why you should request your report immediately after an accident has taken place.
If you take your vehicle to a car repair shop, you could use receipts and documents that go into detail with what will need to be repaired and how much it will cost, that way the insurer makes sure that they provide you with enough compensation.
Evidence of Personal Injuries
If a car accident leads to personal injuries, the victim will likely receive a settlement that may cover more than what is necessary. When you visit a doctor, ask them what exactly you are suffering from, and don’t be afraid to ask for documents, as well. This way, you can present these forms of evidence to the insurer you are in contact with. You can also give the insurance agency a rough estimate of how much your medical care may come out to be, which is almost never cheap.
Information from Witnesses
It may be a bit more difficult to obtain evidence or a claim from a witness, but if you can, you should use this to your advantage. Witnesses include those who may have pulled over to assist you after an accident. Having a witness speak on your behalf is not very common in these cases, but it’s a plus when you’re trying to get your damages covered entirely.
Additional Forms of Evidence
At-fault drivers may take the blame almost immediately, so if this is the case for you, it’s practically a done deal from there. Although an insurer has to investigate the accident, they are likely to cover damages when an at-fault driver claims they are liable. This can also be difficult to obtain, but it can definitely happen, especially if the other driver was compliant with you.
Call the Quinoñez Law Firm to Help You With Your Claim
Should you encounter any difficulties throughout the process of filing a claim, our lawyer can get to work on your case right away. Contact the Quinoñez Law Firm today for a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help you get through your accident.