How to Preserve Crucial Evidence After a Car Accident

In a car accident case, you are legally obligated to prove that the other driver was responsible for the crash and the full extent of your damages. While your attorney would work to help you meet your burden of proof, you would need to preserve the evidence that you have in your possession.

Various sources of evidence can be used in a car accident claim. The first type of proof demonstrates that the other driver should be legally responsible for what happened. Here, you may have the following in your possession if you were able to obtain them at the scene of the accident:

• The names and contact information of witnesses.
• A brief statement of their recollections.
• Pictures of the scene of the accident.
• Dashcam footage that shows the collision.
• Photos of the damage to your car.

You must preserve this evidence to give it to your lawyer as soon as you hire them. If you lose this evidence, you may have more of an uphill battle to prove liability. The same thing goes if you have any dashcam footage. You should make a copy and store it in a separate folder to make it available to you when needed.

As soon as you hire a lawyer, you should ensure that your attorney has copies of each source of proof. You should also keep copies for yourself in case you need them. You should have copies in at least three different places for every source of evidence.

Evidence Can Diminish in Time

Preserving evidence is crucial for building a solid case, as it can change or diminish over time. Attorneys meticulously gather and analyze evidence to determine its relevance and effectiveness. Photography, storage, or documentation are employed to preserve evidence. However, if evidence undergoes alterations or is lost, it may lead to questions regarding its validity and potential denial of the claim by insurance companies.

Attorneys recognize that certain types of evidence can change or diminish over time, emphasizing the need for documentation. Examples include injuries like cuts and bruises, vehicle damage, and evidence from the accident scene, which may degrade or disappear. Witness recollections may also become less reliable with time, leading to potential inconsistencies that insurance company attorneys could exploit to weaken the case.

Effective Sources of Evidence

You also must prove the full extent of your damages to be paid for them. Your car accident injury can be costly and life-altering. From a financial perspective, you may be dealing with medical bills while you cannot work.

You are entitled to be paid back for all the expenses you have incurred out of your pocket. You need documentation of the medical costs you have paid and evidence of the fees you may incur. Your medical records are crucial because they show what treatment has and will be necessary for your injuries. Make sure to save copies of all bills you have received and paid.

In addition, you should keep evidence that shows how much you may have earned from working. You need bank account statements showing the direct deposits into your account before your injury.

Contact Our New Jersey Car Accident Lawyers at Kitrick, McWeeney & Wells, LLC Today

Our New Jersey car accident lawyers at Kitrick, McWeeney & Wells, LLC will be your guide to the legal process when seeking compensation after a crash. Call us at 732-920-8383 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Manasquan and Brick, New Jersey, we serve clients in Middlesex County, Atlantic County, Mercer County, Monmouth County, and Ocean County.