One of the things that many people wonder when they are thinking about filing a personal injury case is, “How much documentation should I have?” The answer to that is, “As much as possible.” However, what happens when you do not have all of your documentation or when you believe evidence may have been destroyed?
Barber and Associates, LLC, a personal injury law firm in Anchorage, addresses the issue of documentation and how to protect and preserve evidence in your personal injury case.
The Nature of Evidence
In a personal injury case, it is desirable but not always possible to have documents, photographs and other information that support the plaintiff’s claim for damages. The most common types of evidence in a personal injury case include:
- Medical records. If you were injured in a car accident, for example, it is very important to go to the emergency room or the doctor right away, even if you do not believe you were seriously injured. If you failed to do so, you could have a more difficult time showing that you suffered physical trauma.
- Photographs. It is always a good idea to have photos of the crash site or accident scene. Try to get photos of all angles of the location with the vehicles in place or, in the case of a slip-and-fall or other accident, the objects in their original location as they were at the time of the accident.
- The vehicle. If your accident involves a vehicle, the car itself can become an important piece of evidence. A favorite trick of insurance companies is to offer to get your car fixed right away, hoping that the evidence from the wreck will be obliterated if you later decide to file a claim.
- Witnesses. One of the most important sources of evidence in any case is witnesses, but these can be lost if their names and identifying information are not recorded at the time of the accident. Be sure that you get the names, addresses and phone numbers or email addresses of every person at the crash site. One easy way to do this is to use your cell phone to take a picture of the driver’s license of any witness if they agree for you to do so.
Barber and Associates, LLC, attorneys in Anchorage, know how difficult it can be to collect documentation and evidence. Contact them today for more tips on how to preserve the evidence from your crash or accident so that you can recover compensation for your injuries.