Collecting evidence after being injured in a car accident in Mississippi can be a difficult task, especially when dealing with your injuries. However, there are a few simple steps you can take that can help you gather the evidence you will need to prove your case.
Much of the information you will need can be obtained directly at the crash site. Speak with the other driver and any eyewitnesses at the scene to collect as much information as possible. Also, be sure to call the police since they will create an accident report that will have a great deal of information that will be critical to recovering compensation. Our attorneys can use what you gather to determine what additional evidence could be helpful and where to locate it.
If you need help gathering evidence after a car accident in Mississippi, our lawyers are ready to fight for you. For a free case evaluation with our Mississippi car accident lawyers, call Howe Law at (844) 876-4357.
How Can I Gather Evidence to Support My Car Accident Claim in Mississippi?
It is critical that you gather the right evidence if you were injured in a car accident to prove the other driver was at fault and recover compensation. In most cases, the evidence relevant to your lawsuit will be generated just after your accident and during treatment. Considering that, there are a few steps you can take after being injured in a car accident that can maximize your chances of recovering compensation. Our personal injury lawyers can help you make the best use of your evidence and where we can locate more.
Call 911
If you were injured in a car accident in Mississippi, you should call the police to the scene immediately. Law enforcement will be dispatched to your accident, where the investigating officers can question you and the other driver. This is important because the investigating officer will make a police report detailing your accident.
A police report typically contains the other driver’s information, eyewitness statements, and observations made by law enforcement. While the entire police report might not be able to be introduced as evidence as much of it is considered hearsay, some of the statements in the report could qualify for an exception to the rule against hearsay and be used in court. Your police report will provide our lawyers with a clear picture of how your accident occurred and could contain information that could help track down other pieces of evidence to use in your case.
Document the Scene
Photographs of the accident scene and your injuries can be an incredibly powerful tool to tell the story of how your accident occurred. Photos of your car’s damage, debris on the ground, and the extent of your injuries can all be used as evidence to support your testimony in court. It can also help contradict any lapses in memory or outright lies the defendant might try to pass off as the truth. In some cases, victims might be too injured to take photos themselves. In these situations, do not hesitate to ask the first responders that arrive at the scene of your accident.
Talk to Eyewitnesses
Most car accidents are loud, destructive affairs that tend to draw many onlookers. If any eyewitness stopped after seeing the results of your accident, speak with them and get their contact information. Having eyewitnesses testify in your lawsuit can make all the difference in its success. Witnesses can strengthen your story in court by describing the accident and any negligence they saw the defendant commit. Again, if your injuries do not permit you to speak with witnesses, ask first responders for help obtaining the witnesses’ information. Our attorneys can then reach out to witnesses on your behalf and determine if their statements will provide useful evidence in your case.
Seek Medical Treatment
When you file a lawsuit, you are suing for “damages,” a legal term that encompasses all the losses stemming from your car accident injuries. Thus, proof of your damages will need to be submitted in order to recover compensation. Much of the evidence used to do this will come from the medical records, reports about your injuries, and bills you receive while treating your injuries. Your medical records will likely also include the likely cause of your injuries as well as the costs for particular treatments.
Getting medical treatment at a hospital after being injured in a car accident in Mississippi is crucial. Getting your injuries assessed immediately after your accident will be immensely helpful when our attorneys argue how the other driver caused them. Delays in treatment can negatively impact your claim as it opens the door for insurance companies and defense attorneys to argue that your accident and resulting injuries are not that serious. You could also further harm yourself if you had an injury that went unnoticed initially but could have been diagnosed with the hospital’s technology.
Keep Your Records
It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to save any records you receive that are associated with your accident. This includes records that show financial losses, as well as records detailing emotional damages your accident has caused you. For instance, all the medical records and bills discussed above should be saved as they will be your evidence proving the extent of your injuries and their potential cause. Also, keep relevant employment records, like paystubs, if you missed time from work. The more records you are able to provide our lawyers, the more accurately we can evaluate your case.
It is also a good idea to begin journaling or documenting your experiences following your accident. This can help show the emotional impact your injuries have had on your life, which could increase the amount of compensation you are awarded. Your records will be necessary to prove that the other driver was responsible for causing your injuries and should be held accountable.
Speak with Our Personal Injury Lawyers
While these tips can be incredibly helpful, we also understand how difficult it is to gather and organize the amount of evidence needed to recover compensation successfully. Our experienced Mississippi personal injury lawyers can help you track down additional evidence to tip the scales decisively in your favor. For instance, our team can investigate the scene of your accident and determine if any commercial or residential security cameras filmed your accident and recover it.
Our Mississippi Car Accident Lawyers Can Help
If you were injured in a car accident in Mississippi, our attorneys can help you gather evidence to recover the compensation you deserve. For a free case review, contact Howe Law today at (844) 876-4357.
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