After a car accident, the difference between a strong case and a weak case often comes down to the evidence. Your injuries might be obvious and fault may be clear, but without the right documentation to support your claim, you could find yourself struggling to recover fair compensation.
The moments and days following your accident are critical for preserving the proof you’ll need to demonstrate what happened, who was at fault, and how the crash has impacted your life. Each type of evidence serves an important purpose in painting the complete picture of your accident and its consequences.
Medical Records
Your medical records serve as the cornerstone of proving your injuries and their connection to the accident. These documents include emergency room reports, diagnostic test results, treatment notes from doctors and specialists, physical therapy records, and prescriptions for medications.
Medical records not only establish the severity of your injuries but also create a timeline that links your injuries directly to the accident. Without comprehensive medical documentation, insurance companies will likely question the extent of your injuries or whether they were truly caused by the accident.
Police Reports
A police report provides an official account of the accident from a neutral third party. Officers document the scene, interview drivers and witnesses, note traffic violations, and often include their professional assessment of what caused the crash. The report may contain important details you might have missed while dealing with the shock of the accident, such as road conditions, weather factors, or the other driver’s statements about fault.
Photos and Videos
Visual evidence captures details that written descriptions cannot convey. Photos of vehicle damage, skid marks, traffic signs, road conditions, and your injuries create a permanent record of the accident scene. After the accident, make sure to take as many pictures as possible from multiple angles and distances.
Videos from traffic cameras, security cameras, or dashcams can be particularly valuable as they show the actual sequence of events. Even cell phone videos taken immediately after the accident can preserve evidence before tow trucks and cleanup crews alter the scene. Your attorney can help you obtain footage from nearby businesses.
Witness Statements
Independent witnesses provide accounts of what they saw before, during, and after your accident. Their statements can corroborate your version of events and challenge false claims made by the other driver. Witnesses might have noticed important details that can help prove fault, like texting while driving, running a red light, or speeding.
Expert Testimony
Complex car accidents often require expert analysis to explain technical aspects to judges and juries. For example, accident reconstruction experts can analyze the crash scene, vehicle damage, and physical evidence to determine how the accident occurred and who was at fault. Medical experts can explain your injuries, treatment needs, and long-term prognosis. Economic experts can calculate your lost earning capacity and future financial needs. Your car accident lawyer in Kansas City can connect you with the right experts based on the needs of your case.
Start Building Your Case with Dollar, Burns, Becker, and Hershewe
Strong evidence forms the foundation of a successful car accident claim. However, evidence can disappear and witnesses’ memories can fade without prompt action. At Dollar, Burns, Becker, and Hershewe, our Kansas City injury attorneys will immediately begin preserving and analyzing every piece of evidence to build your strongest possible case. Contact us at (816) 876-2600 today to protect your rights and secure your future.