How To Preserve Evidence and protect your case after an auto accident

The ability to preserve evidence after an accident has occurred is key to establishing a strong case and helping you and your Hornsby, Watson & Hornsby lawyer win any legal battles. In most cases, lack of evidence has led many to forfeit their chances at making claims. Preservation of evidence can play a significant role in establishing the at-fault party and also convince the insurance company beyond reasonable doubt that you indeed deserve a compensation.

To ensure that your case remains relevant in the aftermath of an accident, there is the need to ensure that as much evidence is protected as possible. To ensure that your rights to a compensation after an accident are protected, below are some of the ways Hornsby, Watson & Hornsby auto accident attorneys recommend protecting evidence at the scene of an accident.

1. Seek Prompt Medical attention

Following an auto accident, it is recommended that you try as much as possible to seek medical attention both for your health and also to establish the extent of impact and damage as a result of the accident. Seeking prompt medical attention allows physicians to take a thorough assessment of your body and bodily functions while recommending the appropriate medical steps to take in the aftermath of the examination. Delays in medical checkup can open a caveat for insurance companies to contest your claim filing.

2. Request a copy of police report

Following an accident, it is recommended that you speak to the police while furnishing them with as much information as you can remember including the car’s registration number, description of driver, time and location, possible witnesses, and other related information. To ensure that your rights are protected, it is also recommended that you obtain a copy of the police report for safe keeping. Obtaining a copy of the report is additionally essential as it contains the law enforcement official’s fault findings, the statements from witnesses, citations issued or possible arrests made, and more.

3. Send Spoliation Letters:

A spoliation letter is a formally written notice directing some party to retain certain items which can be used as evidence for legal claims. Spoliation letters are also referred to as litigation hold letters or the stop destruction letters.

4. Return to the scene of the crash:

It is important to revisit the scene of the accident to ensure that you have not missed out on any of the evidence which may be vital in the claims process. Based on the flaring emotions at the time of the crash, it can be easy to overlook what you would consider a trivial piece of evidence. Be sure to take note of additional information such as tire tread marks, car crash debris near the site, or nearby surveillance camera recordings.

5. Keep all documents relating to the accident and injuries sustained:

All documents including doctor’s reports, police report, photos, and more are advised to be kept in a single file to ensure that they are easily accessed when called for by your attorney. These documents will play an important role in establishing your case.

6. Create Electronic record of all evidence:

Creating an electronic backup of all evidence gathered is essential to ensure that your documents remain safe in the event of harm or damage to the physical properties.