After a Colorado car accident, gathering evidence is crucial to preserving your right to compensation. Drivers who cause crashes must pay for their victims’ damages, including medical care, lost wages, vehicle repairs, and pain and suffering.
If you suffer injuries due to someone else’s actions, you can experience undue hardship and you deserve a fair settlement. To recover from your losses, you need to prove that the other driver is liable for your damages using crucial pieces of evidence.
For help with your claim, don’t hesitate to contact our Denver car accident lawyer for help today!
Photographs
Photographs from the scene of the accident can provide valuable evidence in the courtroom and during the insurance process. These pictures can help prove that the accident occurred according to your testimony, rebut defenses from the at-fault party, and prove you suffered the injuries and damage you claim to.
If you can take photographs without further injury or danger, you should take steps to do so. Photograph the accident scene from as many angles as possible. Make sure to take pictures of your injuries, vehicle damage, and any visible evidence of the crash, such as debris or skid marks. If there are any traffic signs, signals, or traffic control devices in the area, photograph them as well.
Medical Records
Medical records are foundational pieces of evidence for car accident claims. These documents provide a clear and accurate picture of the nature of your injuries, as well as insight into the future treatment you may require and the long-term complications you may experience.
Your attorney and medical expert witnesses can use these records to provide insight on your injuries and what may have caused them. Your attorney can also use these records to calculate your estimated settlement and prove your need for damages. After every appointment, save all documents your doctor or the hospital gives to you.
Witness Testimony
The people who witnessed your accident can provide valuable testimony on your behalf. These witnesses can help verify your story and potentially testify that the other driver was responsible. If there are any pedestrians, cyclists, or other drivers of other vehicles in the area, ask them for their contact information for your future claim.
Police Reports
Under Colorado law, you must report an accident to law enforcement if it results in injuries, death, or property damage. These official reports can provide valuable evidence in your claim; the responding officer will assess the damage, speak to the drivers and witnesses in the area, and use this information to determine how the crash occurred. While the officer’s determination is not conclusive, this documentation can provide valuable evidence for your claim.
To ensure you follow state law and establish this piece of evidence, call 911 immediately after the accident. Report the accident to the responding officer and ask him or her for his or her name and badge number to find the report later. When speaking to the officer, make sure to answer his or her questions as truthfully to the best of your ability. Do not admit fault or make any statements about your injuries at this stage.
Hire an Attorney for Your Car Accident Claim
Investigating and gathering evidence for an insurance claim or lawsuit can be a stressful process. Hiring an attorney to handle the investigation on your behalf can provide significant benefits to your case, including access to expert witnesses who can verify your claims and resources to conduct a thorough examination of all available evidence. If you have not done so already, speak to your lawyer as soon as you receive medical attention to begin your claim.
