If you were seriously hurt in a wreck with a drunk, distracted, or negligent driver, you may be entitled to compensation for the resulting damages. Before you can pursue a payout, though, you’ll have to put together a strong personal injury claim.
Although every winning claim is unique, they all have at least one thing in common: sufficient evidence of liability, causation, and damages. While the most valuable evidence you’ll need to obtain will depend on the circumstances, it will likely include some combination of the following:
1. The Official Police Report
After responding to the scene, police must draft an official report. This report will include their impressions of those who were involved in the accident. If they suspected—or determined—that one of the motorists was impaired, for example, they will make a note of it. As such, their report could help you prove fault (or at least provide a starting point for the investigation).
2. Eyewitnesses Deposition
Passengers, nearby motorists, and/or pedestrians in the vicinity may have witnessed something in the seconds leading up to the wreck that implicates the at-fault party. Perhaps they saw him or her texting and driving, for example, which is a common cause of collisions nowadays. While eyewitness deposition won’t serve as irrefutable evidence of liability, it could bolster your claim if it’s consistent with your legal team’s findings.
3. Video Footage of the Scene
Both dash cam footage and surveillance recordings from cameras near the scene can help investigators assign blame for an accident. Since the owners of any such footage aren’t required to retain it indefinitely, however, it’s important to request copies as soon as possible.
4. Deposition from Expert Witnesses
Accident reconstruction experts can often determine what happened in a collision by reviewing photographs of the wreckage. If there’s no available video footage of the incident, their deposition may serve as the foundation on which you build your case.
5. Toxicology Reports
If impairment contributed to the crash, the results of any chemical tests conducted at the scene or shortly thereafter should strengthen your claim. If these results are not included in the police report, a resourceful car accident attorney can help you track them down.
6. Medical Records
Your medical records will help demonstrate the extent of your injuries, which is a critical component of proving damages. Make sure to save all documents regarding your care including hospital bills, nursing logs, diagnostic images, and pharmacy receipts.
You should also keep a personal injury journal in which you write about your recovery. Detailed entries will help contextualize your medical records and demonstrate the extent of your non-economic losses like pain and suffering.
Discuss Your Case with a Car Accident Attorney in Jackson
If you were seriously hurt in a motor-vehicle collision through no fault of your own, contact Brown Bass & Jeter, PLLC. Our resourceful team will conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and gather the evidence needed to prove liability and damages against all responsible parties. Call 601-487-8448 or fill out our Contact Form to schedule a free consultation with a car accident lawyer in Jackson.
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