What Evidence Do You Need to Strengthen Your Car Accident Claim?

Car accidents are disruptive, distressing, and often result in significant economic/non-economic damages, such as:

• Medical costs from treating your injuries
• Lost wages from missing work
• Property and vehicle repairs
• Emotional trauma

When you’re injured in a crash, it might seem like there’s nothing you can do to seek justice. However, this isn’t true. You can pursue a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver and receive a fair settlement. But for that, you need evidence.

Properly collected and presented evidence can strengthen your case and increase your chances of getting a satisfactory payout. In this article, we’ll delve into the types of evidence you need for a car accident claim and how our experienced car accident lawyers in Utah can help you get justice. 

8 Types of Evidence to Collect for Your Car Accident Injury Claim

Even as the victim of a car accident, you need concrete evidence to convince insurance adjusters (or a judge) that you deserve compensation. Let’s look at a few vital types of evidence that could benefit your car accident claim.

1. Medical Records

The first thing you should do after a car accident is go to the hospital. Remember, just because you feel alright, doesn’t mean you are. Injuries like TBIs and internal hemorrhages are not always apparent, but they can have long-lasting effects on your health.

Once you seek medical attention, be sure to document and file everything, including bills, prescriptions, hospital logs, and diagnostic images. These records will not only demonstrate the extent of your injuries but also establish a link between the accident and your medical expenses.

No document is too trivial to set aside for your legal team. But in case you’re in doubt, talk to our Utah car accident lawyers.

2. Photographs and Videos

The United States has a staggering 310 million+ smartphone users. Put yours to good use by snapping pictures and footage of the accident scene. Take photos of your vehicle damage, the location of the crash, and your injuries. The more pictorial evidence you have, the stronger your case might be.

Why? Well, when there’s a liability dispute, accident reconstruction specialists can examine photographs of the wreckage to establish what could have happened seconds before the crash. Unless you’ve suffered life-threatening injuries, stick around and document the scene.

3. Details of the Driver

There may be a lot happening in the immediate wake of a car accident. But if there’s one thing you don’t want to forget, it’s to get the other driver’s details. Write down their name, phone number, address, license information, number plate, and insurance. You can use this to contact them once you decide to file a car accident claim.

4. Surveillance Footage

Did your accident occur in a fairly developed area? Make a beeline for local surveillance cameras that might have it on tape. Since the owners of this surveillance footage are not obligated to keep it forever, you must think on your feet if you believe such evidence is available and can strengthen your car accident injury claim.

Additionally, most modern vehicles have black boxes or dash-cams. If the black box data shows that the other driver was driving recklessly or failed to evade you, you can use it to support your case.

5. Eyewitness Testimonies

Even before you consult a car accident attorney in Utah, try and talk to witnesses at the scene of the accident. Nearby shopkeepers, pedestrians, cyclists, or other motorists can provide responding officers with a statement of what went down during the collision. Try and get their names and contact information for your own records, since your Utah car accident lawyer might want to talk to them.

Eyewitness testimonies can corroborate your version of events, substantiating your claim and potentially influencing your settlement case. In short, the presence of independent witnesses can add credibility to your case.

6. Property Damage Estimates

Whether your vehicle needs minor fixes or is totaled completely, you must gather repair estimates from qualified mechanics to highlight the extent of damage caused by the accident. Also, in case the other driver claims you hit them, the damages to your car can prove otherwise.

Not sure whether your car can qualify as evidence in an accident claim? Talk to a Utah car accident lawyer. They can analyze your case and determine if your damaged car can pass as admissible evidence in court.

7. The Official Police Report

As per car accident laws in Utah, any collision must be immediately reported to the nearest law enforcement agency. And to be honest, having the police at the scene can be a huge relief. They can direct traffic, create a safe perimeter, and ensure everyone is okay.

But the police can also provide robust evidence, the accident report.

Officers at the scene gather crucial information that forms the basis of their report. Usually, this includes details like the date, time, location, parties involved, statements from witnesses, and any citations issued.

Because the police report is an objective account of the incident, it can play a pivotal role in establishing liability. Take down the responding officer’s name and badge number at the scene. Your Utah car accident lawyer can ask them for the report once your case begins.

8. Expert Witnesses

Not all accidents are definitive. You may know what caused the crash, but there might not be enough evidence to prove it. In such a scenario, your car accident attorney in Utah can bring in an expert witness to explain how something may have happened.

For example, medical professionals can describe the extent of your injuries and their impact on your life, while automotive engineers can offer insights into the mechanics of the collision.  

The Bottom Line

Car accidents are stressful. And it can be worse when you have to fight for your rightful compensation. Fortunately, having a seasoned and reputable attorney can take a massive weight off your shoulders. Your lawyer will pull all the stops to collect relevant evidence for your claim, so you can focus on recovering.

At Henriksen & Henriksen, we’ll use our resources to help you hold the at-fault driver accountable. Our car accident lawyers in Utah won’t rest till you receive the compensation you deserve. Feel free to reach out for a free consultation and discuss your case with us today!