If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Georgia, you know there are numerous details to manage after the crash. However, to successfully secure the compensation you deserve, you will need to present evidence of your injuries and other losses. Some types of evidence, such as surveillance camera footage and witness statements, may be difficult to procure on your own, especially while you are focused on healing from your injuries.
That’s why it is crucial to hire a Georgia injury attorney to handle your case. An experienced Duluth car accident attorney at Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC, will have the resources to help you quickly gather and preserve vital evidence in your case before that evidence is lost, tampered with, or destroyed.
Gathering Evidence at the Scene
If you have been injured in an accident, you should collect as much evidence as possible at the scene if you are able.
First, you should call 911 and report the accident to the authorities. When police officers arrive on the scene, they will draft an accident report that can later be used as evidence for your claim. It should contain descriptions of your injuries and any damage to the vehicles involved in the crash, witness contact information, driver information, and an initial determination of fault.
If you are able, and if it is safe to do so, you should exit your vehicle and take photos of the damage, including:
- Your injuries
- Damage to your vehicle
- Debris at the scene
- The position of each vehicle involved
- Road and visibility conditions
- Nearby traffic signage
- The accident scene as a whole from various angles
As soon as you leave the scene, debris from the crash will likely be cleared from the roadway, and the scene will be tainted. Having a visual record of the immediate aftermath of the crash can significantly strengthen your case.
At the scene, you should also speak to any nearby witnesses who may have seen the accident happen. Witnesses could include:
- Bystanders
- Pedestrians
- Customers in nearby businesses
- Passengers of other vehicles that were not involved in the wreck
Ask every witness for their full name and phone number. Your attorney may want to get a statement from the witness at a later date, or they could even be called to testify on your behalf in court.
Witness testimony is one of the strongest types of evidence in a car accident case since it usually tends to come from an objective third-party. If the witness’s account of the crash corroborates your story, it could work strongly in your favor. While witness contact information should be included in the official accident report, it’s always a good idea to have your own records too.
Lastly, write down everything you remember about the accident as soon as possible. Draft a written account of how the accident occurred, including any other details you remember, such as:
- Weather conditions at the time of the accident
- The other vehicle’s model, make, and license plate number
- The road conditions before the crash
Other Evidence Used in Car Accident Cases
There are many other types of evidence that you can use to strengthen your accident claim. In addition to photographic evidence and witness statements, your attorney may seek out evidence including:
- Traffic camera recordings
- Private surveillance camera videos from nearby businesses or buildings
- Medical records
- Hospital bills
- Receipts for other medical expenses
- Evidence of missed work such as pay stubs
- Testimony from an accident reconstruction expert
- Testimony from other experts, including medical professionals and mental health care providers
- Cell phone data
If you try to navigate the claims process on your own, you might have trouble acquiring some of the most crucial types of evidence needed to prove your claim. A skilled car accident lawyer at Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC will have the skills to swiftly collect and preserve many different types of evidence necessary for your claim.
How Does Gathering Evidence Benefit My Case?
Georgia is an at-fault-based state when it comes to injuries and property damage after a car accident. In Georgia, car accident victims can bring a claim against the motorist who caused the accident for any damages they suffered, including hospital bills, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and much more. In Georgia, all drivers are required by law to carry a minimum of $25,000 per person in bodily injury liability coverage and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage.
The success of your case will hinge on the evidence provided. Remember: the insurance company will conduct their own independent investigation into the accident and try to poke holes in your version of events to reduce or deny your claim. By hiring a lawyer and moving quickly to preserve the evidence in your case, you improve your chances of securing a fair settlement.
To obtain compensation, you will need to provide evidence of your injuries and other financial losses. You will also need to present evidence that proves the other party caused the accident. To obtain compensation for non-financial losses like pain and suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish, and PTSD, you will need to show evidence of physical and emotional suffering.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you’ll want a highly-rated car accident attorney who can help preserve the necessary evidence to pursue a successful claim.
Contact Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC
If you were injured in a car accident in Georgia, procuring important evidence is essential in establishing a claim for compensation. Reach out to our knowledgeable Duluth car accident attorney at Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC, to discuss how we can help gather the evidence needed to support your claim. We offer a free initial consultation and work on a contingency fee basis. That means you won’t owe us any legal fees unless we win your case. If you’ve been involved in a car accident, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our car accident lawyers are ready to help you today.
