If you were injured in an accident caused by the carelessness of another person and want to pursue a claim against him or her, you will need to prove your injuries were directly caused by this other person’s actions.
You will need to gather as much evidence as possible to have a chance of obtaining the compensation you deserve. Below is a checklist of evidence to collect after an accident. Some evidence is important for establishing the at-fault party’s careless actions while other evidence helps establish the extent of your damages.
The Cincinnati personal injury lawyers at O’Connor, Acciani & Levy can also assist with gathering evidence to establish your claim. Contact us today for a free, no obligation legal consultation to learn more about how our experienced attorneys can assist you.
Police Report
If a police officer was called to the scene of the accident, he or she will likely fill out a police report. This report is vital for providing an objective opinion about what caused the accident.
After you leave the scene, you can contact the law enforcement agency responsible for completing the report to request a copy. There are a few ways to obtain a copy of a police report filed by the Cincinnati Police Department.
Medical Records
Ask for copies of all medical records of your treatment after the accident, including:
- Surgical reports
- Doctor’s notes about your diagnosis and treatment
- X-ray results
- MRI results
- Blood test results
- Records from your psychologist about the mental and emotional effects of the accident
- Discharge instructions
- Any photographs taken for medical purposes
- Prescriptions
- List of appointment dates
You should also keep copies of receipts showing the cost of all the treatment you have received. This will allow you to determine the full value of your medical expenses.
You may also want to request medical records from before the accident to refute any claims by the insurance company that your injury was due to medical issues you had before the accident.
Photographs
Pictures of the accident scene can help establish who was at fault. The scene will be altered once you leave so try to take pictures while you are there.
Take pictures of any property damage, including damage to any of your personal property. This can help establish the value of the property damage you suffered and possibly show what happened in the crash.
You should also take pictures of your injuries. This includes taking pictures right after the accident and also as your injuries develop. Pictures serve as an important visual representation of your injuries and can be even more valuable than the description of your injuries in a medical report.
Eyewitness Statements
Bystanders, customers or employees of local businesses may have seen the accident. Their statements can be critical to the success of your claim because they provide objective information about how the accident happened. Sometimes eyewitnesses saw things you didn’t that can help provide a clearer picture of what happened.
Be sure that you collect contact information for any witnesses for future reference. You may have more questions or need clarification on things they have told you.
Documentation Of Lost Income
If you were injured by the careless actions of another person, you may be able to recover the income you lost while you were recovering. You will need to request a letter from your employer that details the income you lost. The letter should include:
- Job title
- Rate of pay before the accident
- Whether you are paid hourly or on salary
- Your average hours of work in a typical week
- Number of days of work you missed
- Dates when you missed work
- Amount of money you lost because of missed days
- Benefits used, such as sick days or vacation days
- Total amount of lost wages
Contact Our Firm For A Free Legal Consultation
Building a personal injury claim is a complex and difficult process. That is why you should consider working with a personal injury attorney throughout the process.
The attorneys at O’Connor, Acciani & Levy can identify evidence that is relevant to your claim and work to collect it. We can take steps to ensure that critical evidence is not destroyed before we have a chance to file your claim. We can also handle all communications with the insurance company so that you can concentrate on your recovery.