If you sustained injuries in a Georgia car accident, you will want to ensure you have the best chances of recovering compensation from the driver that injured you. To give yourself the best chance, you can begin collecting evidence immediately following your accident.
To being gathering evidence, notify law enforcement of your accident. The police will investigate your accident which will then be made available in the form of a report. Also, take photos of any and everything you think might be useful to your claims later and speak with any eyewitnesses nearby. Once you have received medical care, our personal injury lawyers can help you organize your evidence so that it is ready to be filed with your lawsuit.
If you were injured by a negligent driver in Georgia, our Georgia car accident attorneys can help you collect the evidence you need to prove that the other driver was at fault. Contact Howe Law at (844) 876-4357 for a free assessment of your case.
What Steps Can I Take to Gather Evidence for My Car Accident Claim in Georgia?
Recovering compensation requires gathering and submitting numerous forms of evidence to show the other driver was at fault for your injuries. Much of this evidence can be obtained by our experienced Columbus personal injury lawyers, but you should take several measures to ensure that important evidence in your case is not lost. This process begins with notifying the police of your accident and documenting your surroundings and injuries as much as possible. Also, keep watch for any eyewitnesses that might be able to offer their support. Once you have received medical treatment, you can bring your records to our lawyers, who can determine how best to employ it in your case.
Call the Police
The first thing to do after being involved in a Georgia car collision is to call 911 and wait for law enforcement to arrive and investigate the scene. Even if you think the accident was minor or the negligent driver tries to talk you out of calling, you should still call 911. When the police respond to a car accident, they typically investigate the crash and interview the drivers and any witnesses. After conducting their investigation, they will include the details in a police report.
A police report cannot be used as evidence in a trial in its complete form since much of the information is defined as hearsay and barred from being used in court. Still, some statements could be used at trial even though it is classified as hearsay as there are several exceptions to the general rule. If so, those statements can be used as evidence to prove how your injuries came about. Even if your accident report cannot be used as evidence, it can still be an incredibly powerful tool to help locate additional evidence and eyewitnesses.
Photograph the Scene
If you are able, be sure to take photographs after being injured in a car accident in Georgia. Even a few photographs can help paint a powerful picture of how your injuries were caused by the negligent driver. This includes photos of any damage you or the other driver’s vehicle sustained, physical evidence left on the road, and skid marks. You can also take photos of your injuries to preserve how they appeared at the time you were injured since some of your physical injuries might have healed by the time your lawsuit is argued in court.
Photos of your car accident can contain important details that can be easy to forget over time, like the weather and time of day. Of course, you might be unsure what will be relevant to your claim later. Thus, it does not hurt to take photos of everything you think might be useful since our team can review them to determine which ones will be relevant to your case.
Speak with Eyewitnesses
While not everyone takes the time, some witnesses might have seen your accident and are willing to help make things right. Having an eyewitness testify on your behalf can greatly bolster your testimony regarding how the other driver caused your injuries. Witnesses can also be incredibly helpful in contradicting defendants when they misremember or misrepresent an important fact. If you have the opportunity, get the contact information of any witness willing to help.
If you did not speak with nearby witnesses after your accident, do not worry. Our team can use the police report made after your accident to identify and reach out to witnesses while you focus on healing from your injuries. Keep in mind, though, that you should keep the details of your lawsuit confidential. Even though the witness is technically on your side, telling them too much about your case could expose them to further questioning from the opposing side.
Closely Observe Your Surroundings
Car accidents are usually chaotic, and it is completely understandable if a victim is overwhelmed. However, taking a moment to note your surroundings can reveal details that could be extremely useful to our Macon personal injury lawyers. One thing to be on the lookout for is the presence of any security or traffic cameras. If you notice cameras nearby, there is a chance that footage of the crash was captured on one. If you did not see any cameras, just homes, it could be possible that your accident was recorded on an individual’s porch camera.
Our lawyers can obtain surveillance footage of your accident if it exists, which could show decisively how the negligent driver caused your injuries. Footage of this kind typically only lasts for a short time, but your attorney can send a notice to the parties in question directing them not to destroy evidence.
Go to the Hospital
It is critical that you seek medical care at the hospital immediately after your accident. Medical professionals can get an accurate assessment of your injuries and how they likely occurred. Your medical records will serve as the bulk of your evidence and will be used to help calculate the damages our lawyers will claim in your lawsuit.
Once in treatment, be sure to make all your appointments and stay consistent with your doctors’ recommendations. Any lapses in treatment could be used to reduce the compensation you recover. Our lawyers can organize and prepare your medical records, so they tell an accurate story of how your injuries were caused.
Our Georgia Car Accident Lawyers Can Help
If you need help collecting evidence for a car accident claim in Georgia, our Atlanta personal injury attorneys can provide the support you need. For a free evaluation of your case, call Howe Law at (844) 876-4357.
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