The most vital part of any law trial is evidence. The indisputable parts of a legal case are built on evidence, and every side must collect evidence to support their position. In personal injury claims, you must collect evidence to build your case and establish the other party’s negligence or otherwise.
It is important that you collect evidence properly. “Gathering a lot of high-quality evidence is a key precursor to building a strong personal injury case,” says personal injury lawyer Jan Dils of Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law. This article discusses important tips for gathering credible evidence in a personal injury case in West Virginia.
Types of Credible Evidence for West Virginia Personal Injury Cases
So, what are the types of credible pieces of evidence that cannot be argued against?
- Medical records
- Physical evidence
- Police reports
- Photographs
- Witness statements
Tips to Gather Credible Evidence in Personal Injury Claims in West Virginia
Gathering credible evidence is not as simple as it appears, as there are some things you should note while at it. Here are some tips to help you gather credible evidence in personal injury cases:
Get Medical Attention Immediately
If you are involved in an accident and injured, your priority should be to get checked at a hospital. It is better to be safe than sorry, and you should ensure you are safe and sound before taking any action regarding the incident.
There is another reason why you should get medical attention. You inadvertently create a list of medical bills and injury records. This can be added to the evidence quickly. Ensure you keep detailed records of diagnoses, prognoses, and all clinic visits. Do not leave out complications and worsening conditions; ensure to keep all of them. If possible, get a picture of your doctor’s notes as well.
Take Pictures of the Scene Immediately
The earlier you document the scene, the better. This might seem unrealistic, considering you may have an injury to contend with. There is a reason why the police strive to arrive at a crime scene as soon as possible. This is to ensure that all original and credible evidence is collected before it is too late. The earlier the evidence is collected, the stronger your case becomes.
Collate witness statements
Anyone who witnessed the incident during or after can provide a statement about what they saw. This information will be invaluable to your case, and you should look into documenting it.
After confirming that the person was at the scene, you should get a written or recorded statement as soon as possible. This is to ensure you receive the most accurate statement before the witness begins to forget the details. You should also get the contact details of every witness.
File official reports
Filing official reports of just about anything is important, and an accident is no less. Filing an official report lends credence to your personal injury claim. This is a good defense against the testimony of third parties.
Police reports are reputable official records, especially for incidents involving assaults and car accidents. It informs the court and the law of what transpired and how you handled it. Incident reports are more suitable for workplace and commercial area accidents. You can request a copy to be stored, so there is no foul play.
Gather all payslips and bills
One of the factors that insurance companies consider before providing compensation packages is a person’s workplace and financial income. It is, therefore, important that you keep a record of your finances to let the court take note. This will be quite helpful as the court will use it to estimate the value of your financial compensation. Your injury will likely result in a period of missed work time, and you should be compensated for it.
Conclusion
Gathering and maintaining credible evidence is a crucial step in winning your case. You should handle this with care and precision so that there is no doubt whatsoever about your case. Having a good personal injury lawyer will also increase your chances of winning.