Whether you are injured at work, in a car crash, a slip and fall, or some other accident, proving your case depends on evidence. After you are hurt, it is extremely important to preserve personal injury evidence. You can start preserving evidence immediately after an accident by reporting the injury and seeking medical attention.
If you are in a car accident, contact the police and request an accident report. If you are hurt at work, report the injury to your supervisor and ask for an accident report. If one is not immediately provided to you, or you’re unable to ask, generate your own verifiable documentation as soon as possible with dates, digital images, and a thorough accounting of what happened. When you see a doctor for your injuries, be sure to explain where and how your accident occurred; and tell them all of the body parts that were injured.
After an accident, your first concern should always be taking care of your injuries but as soon as you are able, it is a good idea to take photographs of whatever it was that caused your injury. If you fell due to ice, debris, an uneven sidewalk, or a slippery substance, take a photograph. If you were in a car accident, try to get photographs of the scene and any vehicle damage.
Document the names and contact information for any witnesses to your accident. Keep track of all your medical appointments. If you are out of work, keep track of your communications with your employer and records of lost wages. If you pay out of pocket for any expenses related to the accident or injuries, keep your receipts.
The more evidence you have, the easier it will be to prove your claim. Contact Lewis & Lewis, P.C. as soon as you can after an accident so that we can assist you with the collection and preservation of evidence.
