Information to gather at car accidents to strengthen your claim

Motorists in Missouri who have suffered personal injury in a car accident that was caused by the negligence of another party may want to pursue recovery of damages. These damages may include immediate and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost income. In addition, car accidents could cause extensive damage to a vehicle, and compensation for property damage may be included in a personal injury claim. For a vehicle accident attorney to effectively pursue damage recovery, he or she will need specific information from the injured victim.

The success of a personal injury claim may depend on the details you can provide to your attorney. You will need the police accident report, along with reports of medical treatment you received after the accident. Even if you think medical attention is unnecessary, some injuries only become evident much later and may be excluded from a claim if not detected in a timely manner. When prior injuries exist, the accident may have aggravated it, and new ultrasounds or x-rays will allow an expert to determine whether any additional damage occurred.

If the other driver was charged with criminal violations such as DUI or speeding, it might have an important impact on your claim, and relative information must be given to your attorney. While emotions and stress may cause you to admit fault after an accident, this should be avoided at all costs. However, any such admissions by the other driver should be noted, along with contact details of any witnesses who may have been present. Such evidence, along with any photos you or another party may have taken of the scene of the accident, may provide your legal representative with assistance in proving the case.

Many Missouri victims of car accidents choose to retain the services of an experienced motor vehicle accident attorney to protect their rights and negotiate with insurance companies on their behalf. With the valuable information you can provide, such a professional will have the resources to launch an investigation that may even include the services of a reconstructionist. Your attorney will be prepared to take the claim to a civil court if negotiations with your insurance company fail. More information about how we can help you to obtain fair compensation is available on our website.

Source: hg.org, “How to Know if a Car Accident Case is Worth Anything“, Nov. 22, 2014