Being in a car accident in North Carolina can be threatening to both your physical and financial health. When you are injured, you may not be able to work, causing you to lose out on your much-needed paycheck. In some cases, you might be able to work, but you might not be able to earn the same amount as you did before the accident. You may also find that your injuries are resulting in expensive medical bills and extensive procedures that could add up to thousands of dollars.
Getting into a North Carolina car crash accident can be financially stressful, but a qualified North Carlina car accident injury lawyer can help you obtain compensation for all of your losses. To do this, you and your attorney will need to gather various types of evidence from your accident to support your claim.
Collecting Evidence in a North Carolina Car Crash Case
As you and your attorney begin to build your case for compensation, you will need evidence to support your claim. Some of the best evidence is gathered immediately after the accident on the scene, but other evidence can also show the extent of your injuries and losses.
If you have been seriously injured in a car crash, you might not be able to collect much evidence at the scene yourself. In such a situation, you might consider asking someone else at the scene to help you. Presuming that you are looking to file a personal injury claim for damages from a car accident, you should do your best to gather information such as:
- Photos: Among the best types of evidence are photos because they can actually help others visualize the situation, what happened, and how it happened. You should try to take photos of your vehicle after the accident, the scene of the accident as a whole, the location of the accident, damage to anything other than your vehicle, and of any injuries you sustained, especially if they will leave lasting scars.
- Witness statements: Another piece of evidence that can be useful is statements from witnesses. If there were individuals around who saw the accident take place, then speaking with them can help you gather information for your case. It always helps when an outside party can help corroborate your version of the events that led to your crash.
- Police report: In nearly all North Carolina traffic accidents, police are required to respond to the scene of the accident. Once there, they will then begin to take notes and write down any possible important information so that they can compile it all into a police report. This report is the document that is typically used by insurance companies as the “official” record of the accident.
- Receipts, bills, and medical records: To prove your losses, you should keep all receipts and billing statements that include information about costs related to your injuries. For example, any billing statements you get in the mail from any medical treatments you receive should be saved, along with receipts for any prescription medications, etc.
Why the Evidence Matters
Following a North Carolina car crash, gathering evidence is important for several reasons. First, photographic evidence of the scene and witness statements can help you show that another driver was at fault for causing the crash. Establishing liability, however, is just the first step. Once liability has been determined, evidence such as medical records, bills, and other documents can help demonstrate the nature and extent of your injuries. The amount of compensation available may rely heavily on the evidence that you and your attorney can provide.
Contact a North Carolina Car Accident Injury Attorney Today
If you have been injured in a car accident, the experienced North Carolina personal injury lawyers at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp are here to help. Our knowledgeable team can help you understand your options for obtaining compensation as a victim of a car accident. To schedule a free consultation, call our office today at (833) 997-1774. We will do everything we can to get you the full compensation you deserve, just as we did in securing a $200,000 settlement for our client who was injured in a North Carolina drunk driving accident.
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