If you or your loved one was injured due to an accident and want to file a lawsuit, the presentation of evidence to support your case is crucial. While you are advised to work closely with an attorney on your claim, you should be aware of the amount of evidence that will be required. You can take steps to preserve the evidence in your case in order to provide the most accurate information to your lawyer. The following are some tips for preserving evidence to enhance your likelihood of getting a fair settlement:
Photographs
After any accident, you should be sure to take photographs of any injuries to your person or of any property that could have contributed to your injury, such as the lack of a handrail on a set of steps or a broken piece of flooring that caused you to trip. If you cannot take the pictures yourself, be certain to have a friend or family member do it for you right away. The scene of your accident is often cleaned up very quickly, and property owners may take swift action to fix any damage that caused your accident.
Go Back to the Accident Scene
After you have had some time to heal, take a trip back to the scene of the accident to ensure there was no evidence that is overlooked. Although the accident scene has been cleared, you may be able to determine some additional evidence after the fact that could have been overlooked. Look for things like signs covered by tree branches, stairs that are damaged, or broken traffic lights. Take photos of anything that seems out of the ordinary, as it can possibly contribute to your case.
Retain Physical Evidence
If your accident yielded any physical evidence, be sure that you preserve it to support your case. If you were in a car accident, do not repair the vehicle until an insurance adjuster has documented it. If faulty tires that lost their tread too quickly caused your accident, keep the tires for evidence. Any physical items that you can touch and that played a role in your injury should be preserved for the judge to review.
While preparing evidence for your case, always remain in contact with your attorney from an experienced firm like Fitzsimmons & Vervaecke Law Firm. He or she will be able to help you through the process and help you during the evidence preservation process so that you have a favorable outcome.