If you were seriously hurt in a motor-vehicle collision that someone else caused, you may be entitled to compensation. You’re going to have to prove both liability and damages, however, before you can recover a single dollar.
While every car accident is unique, there are a few pieces of evidence that virtually all claims demand. Read on to learn what they are:
1. The Police Report
Police reports are drafted by responding officers. These documents include all kinds of valuable information, including any confessions that were made at the scene. At the very least, the report from your accident should provide a starting point for all subsequent investigations.
2. Photographs of the Wreckage
By scrutinizing images of the scene, accident reconstruction experts can often determine what happened in the moments leading up to a collision.
If you were unable to shoot the wreckage in the aftermath, ask the responding officers for the images they took. It may also be possible to obtain photographs from other motorists, their passengers, and/or any pedestrians who were in the vicinity at the time.
3. Relevant Video Footage
Even if you didn’t have a dash camera mounted on your own vehicle, there’s a chance one of the cars, trucks, or SUVs that was near the scene at the time did. Your legal team can inquire about any available footage when reaching out to witnesses to get their statements.
If the accident happened in a fairly busy area with lots of businesses nearby, there’s also a chance it was captured by one or more surveillance systems. You’ll want to reach out to the building owners as soon as possible, however, since they’re not obligated to save any such footage.
4. Cell Phone Records
If distracted driving contributed to the wreck, there’s a good chance the at-fault motorist’s cell phone records will prove as much. Obtaining these documents could pose a challenge, though, as the carrier is unlikely to release them to just anyone. Thankfully, your car accident lawyer should be able to apply the legal pressure needed—by filing a subpoena, for example—to get them.
5. Medical Records
Your medical records will serve as the foundation of your damages claim. Hospital logs and diagnostic images will hopefully prove a direct link between the accident in question and the injuries you sustained. Detailed records will also come in handy when it comes time to highlight the extent of your non-economic damages, like mental anguish, emotional distress, and pain and suffering.
Call 855-585-2969 to Discuss Your Case with a New York Car Accident Lawyer
At Leitner Varughese Warywoda, we’re proud to represent those who have been seriously hurt by the negligence of others in New York City, Long Island, and the rest of the state. If you were struck by a drunk, drowsy, or distracted driver, we’ll help you gather the evidence needed to pursue the compensation you deserve.
To schedule your free case review with a car accident attorney in New York, call 855-585-2969 or complete our Online Contact Form.
