Gathering Evidence In A Personal Injury Case
Negligence is the key word in a personal injury case. Why? If you were injured on someone else's property or by someone else's actions, you cannot automatically assume that they are at fault for your injuries. Instead, you must prove that the person who you believe was at fault had the duty to provide supervision, maintenance, or care, and that they did not take the necessary steps to prevent your injuries. When you gather evidence for your case, you should have these things in mind:
Eye Witness Accounts
One key piece of evidence in your case will be eye witness accounts. You want to avoid a situation where it is just your word against your opponent's. Try to find people who can attest to the condition of the property when you were injured or to the offending party's actions or lack of action. Statements gathered from these witnesses will help to corroborate your claims. When talking to witnesses, it is better to talk to them as soon after the incident as possible so that their recollection of the events does not fade with time.
Medical Records
Whether you think your injuries are serious or not, you should go to a doctor as soon after your accident as possible. If you wait to see if your injuries get better before you go to a doctor, you may have a hard time proving that your condition is a result of the accident you suffered or to your own lack of action. When you go to the doctor make sure you keep track of bills, insurance statements, observation notes, etc., so you can use them to provide evidence of your injuries and the cost and scope of the treatment you received.
Pictures
Pictures or video of the site of the accident, your injuries, and the offending party's actions can help to provide substance to your case. A photo of a poorly maintained deck that you fell through, for example, will help to prove that the homeowner was negligent in providing the proper level of care for the deck.
Gathering and presenting evidence in a personal injury case is key to presenting a convincing case. If you are not able to gather evidence, or you just want to make sure the job is done right, you should talk to a personal injury lawyer about your case. If they believe you have a case that needs to be brought before the court, they will take on the responsibility of gathering and preparing the evidence.
Contact a law office like Alexander Law Group for more information and assistance.
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