If you’ve been in a car accident, the only thing on your mind should be recovering from your injuries and obtaining the best results regarding your compensation for medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering.
But car accidents can lead to complicated compensation issues that require an attorney’s help. If you want to win your car accident case, some important items need to be documented and presented to a lawyer in Watertown, WI.
We put together this car accident document checklist for you.
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The Date, Time, and Location of the Accident
This is the first and most crucial piece of information that your lawyer will need. They need to know when and where the accident occurred to start building a case. Contact a car accident injury lawyer right away.
If you can, try to remember the exact time of day it happened as well. This will help your lawyer determine if other factors, such as weather, lighting, or road conditions could have played a part in the accident.
Location is also vital. Knowing where the accident took place will allow your lawyer to look for potential witnesses or evidence nearby.
Names, Addresses, and Phone Numbers of All Involved Parties
To build a car accident case, your lawyer will need to contact all the people involved. This includes drivers, passengers, witnesses, and insurance companies.
Ensure you have the correct information for everyone involved so your car accident lawyer in WI doesn’t have to spend time tracking down contact information.
Contact information is especially important for witnesses. The sooner your lawyer can speak to them, the better chance they have of obtaining a statement from them.
The Insurance Information of All Involved Parties
Your car accident lawyer will need to contact the insurance companies of all involved parties. This includes your own insurance company as well as the other drivers’ insurance companies.
Make sure you have this information handy, so your lawyer can get started on building a case.
It’s also important to remember that you should never speak with the other driver’s insurance company without an attorney present. They may try to get you to sign away your rights or make statements that could hurt your car accident case.
Leave the negotiations to your car accident lawyer, and they’ll make sure you’re getting the best possible outcome.
Police Report, if Available
If a police report was filed, then Watertown attorneys will need to have a copy of it. This is important for two reasons:
It provides the names and statements of any witnesses or other parties involved. It can also shed light on any conclusions drawn by authorities about what happened leading up to the car accident.
If you’ve been in an auto collision, you should call 911 immediately and report it. They’ll likely dispatch a police car to the scene.
Photos and Videos of the Scene and Damages
If you have any pictures of the car accident, then your lawyer will need to see them. This is especially important if there is an injury or significant property damage. Your attorney will want to visit the accident scene as soon as possible to become familiar with the location.
Photos should show all angles of the scene as well as close-ups of damages that resulted from it. Things like skid marks are also important for car accident lawyers because they can reveal clues about what happened immediately before a collision.
Your dashcam footage, for example, could show any erratic driving by the other driver. This would be very helpful in proving that they were at fault for the accident.
Failing to document these details could result in information being left out during settlement negotiations with insurance companies or presenting evidence at the trial court.
Witness Statements
Witnesses are an essential piece of evidence for car accident lawyers.
Suppose you can put together a list or contact information for witnesses. In that case, your lawyer will be able to follow up with them and obtain written statements that they may reference during the trial.
It’s also helpful if your testimony about what happened is consistent with witness accounts since this further establishes credibility in front of the judge and jury.
If you need a personal injury lawyer, be sure to contact one near you. They’ll be able to help you through the entire process and make sure you’re getting the best possible outcome.
Medical Records
If you’ve sought medical attention after the car accident, then your lawyer will need and obtain copies of your medical records.
Your records will document and show the extent of any injuries you may have sustained in the crash and can help prove liability. Your lawyer will also use them to calculate how much money you could potentially receive in a settlement or court award.
Make sure you keep all bills and receipts related to any medical treatment you’ve received because you’re likely to need them.
Receipts for Repair or Replacement of Property
If you’ve had to repair or replace any property due to a car accident, then your lawyer will need copies of the receipts.
This includes both damaged and undamaged property. The total cost of these repairs or replacements can be used as evidence in your car accident case.
It’s essential to keep track of all expenses related to the accident so that you’re not left with any outstanding bills.
Proof of Income Lost
If you’ve had to take time off from work because of your car accident injuries, then your lawyer will need proof of income lost. This can be in the form of pay stubs, W-forms, or any other documentation that shows how much money you would have made if you were working as usual.
Losing income is a significant factor in car accident injury cases and should be included when calculating damages.
Car Accident Document Checklist for Watertown Lawyers
If you’ve been in a car accident, then make sure to get the necessary documentation together. This car accident document checklist will help your lawyer build a persuasive case and win compensation for your injuries.
Are you in need of a car accident lawyer? For high-quality legal representation, Watertown and Lake Mills, WI residents can contact Neuberger, Griggs, Sweet & Froehle, LLP. We’ll make sure you’re getting the best possible outcome.