Collecting Evidence After a St. Louis Car Accident

If you have been injured in a car accident, it’s important that you have a general understanding of what to expect next, including how to collect evidence.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident, you should generally know what to expect from a legal point of view. Crashes that result in personal injuries are typically followed by negotiations with an insurance company, whether it’s yours or the other driver’s. Negotiations can get intense on health and liability matters, so working with an experienced St. Louis auto accident attorney is highly recommended.

First of all, the vast majority of car accident lawyers work for a contingency fee, which means that they only get paid if they win your case. Second, there are many things that you have to overcome if you decide to handle the legal part yourself.

Determining the Value of Your Car Accident Case

By proving fault and providing evidence of the true value of your case, you can raise the settlement value of your car crash injury claim while negotiating with the insurance company. Based on your medical costs, missed wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and other considerations, your lawyer can determine the value of your case overall.

So that your attorney may provide them to the insurance company as evidence of your damages, it is crucial to keep meticulous records and all pertinent documents. Additionally, you might want to get legal advice and assistance from a car accident lawyer who can represent you in an insurance company dispute.

Car Accident Evidence

Statements from Eye-Witnesses

If there are other people nearby when the accident happens, they can provide important information about the circumstances of the crash. Eye-witness reports are useful in a car accident claim, but they are not absolute evidence. Sometimes, eyewitnesses are so overwhelmed by emotions that they distort memories. An experienced lawyer will understand what questions to ask these eyewitnesses.

Detailed Pictures of the Accident Scene

Pictures of the accident scene are some of the most important pieces of evidence in a case. However, taking random pictures is not enough. Your attorney will likely want to take pictures of your car, your injuries, any skid marks on the road, road signs in the area, faulty traffic lights, etc.

Cell Phone History Records

If you were investigating independently, you would generally not have access to the other driver’s phone records. A car accident attorney can justify the request for phone records to see if the other driver was calling or texting someone while driving, for example. 

Social Media Posts

You might think such a trivial piece of evidence would not weigh anything in a serious car accident case. You would be surprised at how much a social media post can influence a personal injury claim. If, for example, Facebook shows a live video made by the other driver while behind the wheel, their liability may well be established.

Expert Witness Statements

The intricacies of a car accident often need to be untangled with the help of an expert witness. Whether it’s a road traffic safety inspector, a medical examiner, an auto mechanics expert, or an accident recreator, they can provide important evaluations that serve as evidence in your case. Your attorney can recommend the right experts for these evaluations.

Surveillance Footage

If there are no eyewitnesses for your accident, you might have to rely on security cameras installed in the area. Trust your car crash attorney to find the relevant cameras and approach their owners about the footage. This can be crucial in a car accident which leads to injuries.

Loss of Income

A big part of the compensation you need is meant to cover your loss of income. Your attorney knows how to calculate your losses and gather the documentation needed to support your claim.

Medical History

While an auto accident attorney is no medical expert, they will do their best to keep you going to the doctor, find payment methods in case you need them, and organize your medical records and other documents neatly. 

Speak With an Experienced St. Louis Car Accident Attorney

All the evidence mentioned above can make or break your case. To ensure you have everything you need to prove your claim, contact an experienced car accident attorney at The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. 24/7. We have 25 years of experience protecting the rights of injured car accident victims and can evaluate your case for free.