If you sustained car accident injuries, it is important to contact the police so there is a written record of what occurred. Many people who have been injured in a car accident did not experience symptoms right away due to a combination of adrenaline and delayed symptoms.
Whether or not you feel injured, it is important to begin gathering evidence in the unfortunate event that it becomes needed.
Important Evidence in a Personal Injury Case
Police Report
The police report is often the first piece of tangible evidence at the scene. In the instance of a car accident, it is recommended that you call 911 for immediate assistance to assist the damage to you, your vehicle, and others involved.
Police officers have a specific protocol and detailed report to file when they attend the scene of an accident. While police reports are non-admissible in court, it is still important to have documentation that the accident occurred in the event that injuries also result.
While you will likely not receive a report from the police officer at the scene of the incident, you can request police records at any time by contacting their precinct. The report is a valuable tool for a personal injury case and the settlement process because they provide important facts related to the incident. It will include the date and time of the incident, those in attendance, including witnesses, and other implicating factors such as the weather and whether or not paramedics were called to the scene.
Witnesses
When you are injured and the police are at the scene, they may seek out witnesses to gather more information about what occurred. If there is ever a discrepancy about how an accident was caused or who was at fault, sometimes witness testimony can help clarify the situation.
Additionally, if you are filing a personal claim, your personal injury lawyer may want to have witness support to justify and elucidate any evidence in court.
Photos and Videos
Photographs and videos of the scene where the injury occurred can also be incredibly valuable pieces of evidence. For example, after a car accident, you may want to take photos of any vehicle damage of both cars to share with your insurance company. In serious accidents, local footage may be sought from traffic cameras to help determine the cause and other factors in the accident.
Medical Records
Our team of personal injury doctors at AICA Orthopedics understands the importance of accurate medical records for our patients, regardless of whether or not they intend to file a claim. We provide comprehensive, individualized treatment plans with our specialist doctors to help treat a variety of injuries.
Orthopedic doctors at AICA Orthopedics use state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging tests, such as MRIs and CT scans, to provide our patients with a thorough examination and diagnosis of injury and pain. These diagnostic images can also be used as evidence of injury and are part of the medical record.
Why Choose AICA Orthopedics?
Our team of medical professionals at AICA Orthopedics has experience with personal injury claims and the knowledge to provide our patients with everything they need for care and recovery.
We understand the importance of quality medical records and work with our patients to provide the necessary documentation to help support a personal injury claim.
Our personal injury doctors and other specialist doctors are dedicated to our patients receiving quality, comprehensive care from a multi-specialty approach to ensure we address not only the symptoms but also the root causes of pain and injury so you can begin healing and recovery as soon as possible.
