When you need to recover financial compensation after an auto accident, collecting evidence is crucial to proving both (i) your legal right to be compensated, and (ii) the amount that you are entitled to recover. While you may have some evidence already, you will need to hire a Fort Lauderdale automobile accident lawyer to gather additional evidence in order to prove your claim for damages.
Evidence You May Already Have in Your Possession After a Car Accident
What evidence might you have already? If you have any of the following, you should bring it with you to your free initial consultation:
- Photos or video from the scene of the accident
- Repair estimates and/or photos of the damage to your car
- The other driver’s insurance and contact information
- Contact information for any eye witnesses
- Scans, test results and other medical records
- Medical bills and receipts for your prescriptions
- Any notes you have taken to record details of the accident or the effects of your injuries
While all of these forms of evidence can be helpful, none of them are strictly necessary. So, if you don’t have something, you shouldn’t worry. However, in order to make sure that your lawyer has the best chance to recover your losses, you will want to schedule a free consultation about your accident as soon as possible.
Evidence Your Accident Lawyers Will Need to Collect for You
In addition to the types of evidence listed above, there are various additional forms of evidence that your attorney will need to collect in order to pursue your claim. This includes evidence from the scene of the accident, other evidence of liability, and evidence of the extent and effects of your injuries. Examples of the types of evidence that can be used to prove liability for an automobile accident include:
- Forensic evidence from the scene of the accident
- The official police report
- Traffic or security camera footage
- Eye witness statements
- Cell phone records
- Employment records (if the other driver was working at the time of the crash)
- Vehicle maintenance and repair records
Examples of the types of evidence that can be used to prove the amount you are entitled to recover for your accident-related losses include:
- Expert opinions from medical specialists
- Expert opinions from accountants and other financial professionals
- Your education and employment history
- Statements from friends, family members and coworkers
- Documentation of the direct out-of-pocket costs you have incurred due to your injuries
- Documentation of your pain, suffering, and emotional trauma
- Other evidence of the financial and non-financial impacts of your injuries
In the end, the more evidence you have in support of your claim, the higher your chances are of securing a favorable result. Fort Lauderdale accident lawyer Joseph Maus has decades of experience helping victims and families recover just compensation, and he can use this experience to help protect your legal rights.
How Can You Deal with the Auto Insurance Companies Effectively?
Besides being prepared to say no when the insurance companies offer a low-ball settlement, what else do you need to know in order to deal with the insurance companies effectively? Here are some tips from Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer Joseph Maus:
- Know your rights. Most importantly, you need to know your rights. This means understanding your claim for personal injury protection (PIP), knowing when you are entitled to fault-based compensation, and knowing when the insurance companies are handling your claim in bad faith.
- Stand up for your rights. During your insurance claim, the insurance companies will pressure you to settle for less than you deserve. They may also try to utilize various other tactics to minimize your financial recovery. With this in mind, you need to be prepared to stand up for your legal rights and fight for the compensation you deserve.
- Don’t be afraid to say “no.” On the same token, you cannot be afraid to say “no.” You can say “no” if your adjuster asks for a recorded statement, you can say “no” if the insurance company asks for access to your medical records, and you can say “no” if the insurance company offers less than the full amount you are rightfully owed.
Mistakes after a car accident in Ft. Lauderdale can prevent you from recovering the full compensation to which you may be entitled. Get past the myths and avoid the mistakes frequently seen by our Fort Lauderdale car crash attorneys. Before taking a step that could harm your right to compensation, give our firm a call.