Preserving Evidence Can Protect Your Personal Injury Lawsuit

Preserving evidence after an injury can make a huge difference in the success of a case. While it can be difficult and time-consuming, it is critical for the recovery of maximum compensation. As long as the evidence contributes relevant information to your claim, it’s practically impossible to have too much. Evidence is the cornerstone that establishes fault and shows the extent of the damage you incurred. The sooner after an incident that evidence can be gathered, the better, because accident scenes change, people’s memories fade, wounds heal. Of course, few people have the presence of mind to collect evidence immediately after an upsetting event, and you certainly should not worry about such matters if you are seriously injured. Instead, visit the site as soon as you are able, or send a friend or relative in your place. Try to return at the same time of day as the accident occurred and take lots of pictures. With digital technology, there’s no reason to skimp, so get photos looking in all directions, of all signs, and of any markings or debris. Even if you did manage to get pictures on the day of the accident, it doesn’t hurt to revisit the site and look around more carefully. You may discover important information that you overlooked earlier in the confusion. Another useful source of evidence is video. Check to see if there are any nearby buildings with surveillance cameras or posts with traffic cameras that may have captured valuable footage. And don’t forget eyewitnesses that might not have made it onto any official reports. Knock on people’s doors, visit employees in nearby businesses, and ask if they saw anything. If the incident is a motor vehicle wreck and your vehicle is towed from the accident site, call the towing company and tell them to keep it as is until it can be examined and photographed. The wreckage is evidence, and you don’t want it to be fixed before it is properly documented. Photographs of the bodily injuries suffered are also important pieces to any personal injury action, but regardless of their availability, document your medical journey by keeping good records. Make sure you get copies of all medical tests, any EMT reports, and any police reports. To bolster your claim, keep a pain journal that details your daily emotional and physical struggles as you cope with your injuries. If the incident involves a defective product, save all the packaging, the receipt, the warranty, and the instruction manual. A personal injury lawyer will assist you in obtaining evidence, especially witness statements, in the proper way so that they will be eligible for presentation to the court. Where appropriate, a skilled attorney may also order an accident reconstruction report complete with measurements of the scene. If you have any questions about this topic, you can find out more by discussing it with one of the personal injury attorneys at the Johnson Law Firm. We have years of experience helping people and we can help you. Our knowledgeable legal team will work closely with you every step of the way and will fight hard to get you the compensation you deserve. Based in Pikeville, KY, we proudly serve communities throughout the Bluegrass State. Contact us by calling 606-437-4488 or filling out our online form.

Attorney Billy Johnson

William “Billy” Johnson grew up in the Dorton area of Pike County, Kentucky, and early on decided to stay in the beautiful Appalachian mountains. Like many others in Eastern Kentucky, Billy’s dad worked as a coal miner, a hard job but one that taught his son how to meet challenges head on and persevere. Attorney Billy Johnson has years of experience helping injured clients with claims such as car, truck, and motorcycle accidents, wrongful deaths, work injuries, and more. [ Attorney Bio ]

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