Posted on 04/24/25
When you are in an accident, the burden of proof falls on you, the victim. That means that it is up to you to find the evidence necessary to demonstrate both fault and losses. Doing so will help you to have a successful accident claim.
Because these situations can be complex, especially if there are any questions about the claims’ authenticity, it is critical to hire a personal injury attorney to guide you through the process. A Buffalo car accident attorney understands the evidence needed for a successful claim and can help you collect it.
What Type of Evidence is Important to Gather from the Accident?
Immediately after being in an accident, there are steps you need to take in order to help build a strong case for yourself. Only do these steps if there are no life-threatening injuries and you can safely capture details of the incident. Remember that your priority should be your safety and that of others. If you can do so from there, gather data such as:
- Photos of the incident and damage, whether that is from a car crash, damage to your property, or injuries
- Take a video of the surrounding area to demonstrate location while also clarifying location circumstances and the environment at the time of the incident
- Witnesses are also rich resources for this immediate need, and that means getting their names and contact information could be crucial in your process.
- Statements made by the other party can also be helpful, especially if they state that they caused the accident
Seek Immediate Medical Care
The next key component of evidence in a case like this is medical documentation. Going to the hospital or emergency room after an accident allows you to get the care you need. It also works as a type of tool for documenting your injuries and showing that they are directly related to the accident.
You will want to incorporate the following types of medical information in your claim as it applies to your losses, as well as fault:
- The type of injuries you have
- Medical records of emergency visits and recurrent care
- Lab tests and diagnostics that demonstrate your injuries
- Rehabilitation reports that show you are working towards healing, but still have limitations
- Statements from medical experts in situations of more complex cases
Police Reports After an Accident
A police report occurs when a law enforcement officer comes to the location of your accident at the time of it, documents what occurs, and files their statements on what they believe occurred and who was at fault. However, in many cases, a police officer is not involved. You can go to the local police department to file a police report on your own. That can help the insurance company to know what occurred.
Additional Types of Valuable Evidence in a Car Accident Case
There are various types of evidence beyond this that could prove to be important to your case. Depending on the situation, some examples may include:
- Employer statements about your inability to do the job at hand
- Documentation of missed work and loss of bonuses or overtime you could have expected to receive
- Estimates for the repair or replacement of your vehicle or any other property you lost
- Medical experts to testify to your long-term limitations
- Family and friends to document how this has impacted you
The complexities of injury cases make it beneficial to hire a Buffalo personal injury attorney to gather this evidence for you. Do not overlook the importance of preserving any of this information for your needs later when you file a claim.