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How to Secure Evidence in a Personal Injury Case

Personal Injury EvidenceFor establishing grounds for your personal injury claim, you must identify, gather, and preserve relevant information. One of the most important parts of proving negligence of the responsible party is securing evidence. The quantity and quality of the evidence supporting your claim can make a world of difference between a substantial personal injury settlement and an average one. Moreover, the evidence must clearly indicate that the proximate cause of your injuries were the negligent actions of the defendant. Without this proof, you may not be able to get compensation for your damages.

Preserving Tangible Evidence

Sometimes, fault in a personal injury accident is established by producing tangible evidence – something that you can touch or see, instead of a testimony or description of what happened. Some examples include:

  • A lose or broken railing or stair in a shop that caused you to slip and fall.
  • Security footage of the incident or videos recorded from a mobile phone by a passerby.
  • Dent on your car in case of a traffic accident.
  • Bloodied or torn clothing giving an idea about the extent of your physical injuries.

Make sure that you preserve any physical piece of evidence in exactly the same state as it was at the time of the accident. If you think it may not be preserved in its original state, you can take photographs to show it later in court or to claims adjuster as proof.

Taking Photographs

The best way for securing evidence is by taking good photographs. Make sure that you take several photos of the same object from different angles, as they will help you to clearly highlightthe important aspects of the evidence in question. Use regular photos instead of Polaroids as they capture more detail and accurate light conditions. It is best that photos are taken as soon as possible so that they can depict the conditions of the accident scene more precisely.

The defendant’s attorney or claims adjuster may object on the date of the photographs or may try to establish that they were fabricated. To prevent such a situation, ask an acquaintance or friend to take pictures of you taking photographs and write a statement that they were present at the time you were taking photos on that particular date.

Proof of your Physical Injuries

Apart from taking photos of the accident scene, you should also consider taking a few pictures of your physical injuries to help your personal injury attorney establish the extent of your damages. Up close pictures of burns, bruises, stitches, etc., can tell a better story of your pain and suffering.

Medical Records

Medical records are a key component of a personal injury claim that essentially determines the amount of compensation you should demand for your damages. The type of treatment and special therapy needs are also important, allowing the claims adjuster or judge to evaluate the severity of your condition.

People go to lengths to escape being charged for their negligence. But with the help of an attorney, you can gather solid evidence and make sure that they pay for the damages they caused due to their carelessness. Contact Fisk & Monteleone LTD. today at 815-209-9030 to schedule a free case consultation with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys.