A Maryland Car Accident Lawyer Explains How to Document a Car Accident in Maryland for a Strong Claim
You may be entitled to significant compensation if you have been injured in a car accident as a result of someone else’s negligence. However, you must be able to prove your claim, even if you don’t plan to go to court. Insurance companies require that you provide extensive documentation demonstrating the cause of the accident, who was at fault, the injuries you have suffered, and why you are entitled to compensation in the amount you seek. An experienced Maryland car accident lawyer can help you gather the documentation you need to make a strong claim.
Use Your Phone
If you can, documenting your accident in the moments afterward can serve as compelling evidence supporting your claim. Using the camera on your smartphone, take photographs of the damage to your vehicle and any other vehicles. Take photographs of your injuries. Take photographs of the accident scene, including any traffic signals or signs that may help illustrate the scene and recreate what happened.
We understand if you are unable to take photographs immediately following the accident. You can still use your camera to document your injuries after the fact. You can even return to the accident scene to photograph the area and document the layout.
When taking pictures, more is better. Take pictures from multiple locations and angles. Don’t worry about taking too many—you can later decide which ones are helpful and which are not. And, of course, ensure your pictures are backed up to the cloud and easily accessible. Consider creating a separate folder for these photos. A Maryland car accident lawyer can help you determine which pictures will be helpful to your claim.
Get an Accident Report
While accident reports are not infallible, they can be useful for establishing essential facts, even if it is just the time and location of the accident. Furthermore, the report may list various witnesses to the accident, which can be useful if you need to contact them later.
For this reason alone, we recommend calling the police after your accident. Ensure you get the officer’s card so that you know who to contact to get a copy of the accident report.
Keep Copies of All Medical Documentation
In addition to proving what caused the accident and who is at fault, you must also prove your injuries. As a result, you want to make sure that you keep copies of all medical bills, reports, and other documentation from your doctor. The bills will establish one of the key components of your claim, but your medical reports will establish the following:
- That your injuries are the result of your car accident
- The extent of your injuries
- Your limitations as a result of your injuries, including any temporary or permanent disabilities
- Your expected recovery
Sometimes the documentation you receive from your doctor is unclear on these points. A Maryland car accident lawyer can work with your doctor to ensure your records are as clear as possible.
Get Statements from Witnesses
Witness testimonies can be especially powerful because they are considered neutral third parties. Unfortunately, memories can fade over time. As a result, you should try to get statements from them as soon after the accident as possible. An email setting forth what they saw would be sufficient. They could also record a voice memo on their phone.
We understand if you are uncomfortable with asking people you don’t know to provide you with a statement. It’s also not unusual for witnesses to be reluctant to get involved. If you need help getting statements, a Maryland car accident lawyer can help.
Get Video Footage of the Accident
While you or the other driver may not have dashboard camera footage, there may be traffic camera footage or other camera footage. The first step is to investigate what cameras may have been recording in the area and may have captured the camera. For example, a nearby business may have a wide-angle camera that captures traffic through the adjacent intersection. Traffic camera footage may be easily available, but obtaining footage from cameras at nearby businesses or homes may require a subpoena. A Maryland car accident lawyer will know what you need to do to obtain any camera footage that’s available.
Document Your Lost Income
If your injuries require you to miss work, you may be entitled to compensation for your lost income. To that end, you should do the following in order to document your claim:
- Get copies of your tax returns and pay stubs prior to your accident
- Keep track of any hours you missed due to your injuries, either to get medical treatment or because you are simply unable to work
For victims who may be facing long-term or permanent disabilities, you may be entitled to future lost income. A Maryland car accident lawyer will know what you need to do in order to prove how your injuries impact your future earning capacity.
Keep a Journal
In addition to your injuries and lost income, you may also be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering. Unfortunately, pain and suffering can be difficult to prove because they are largely subjective. Keeping a journal can keep a record of what you are experiencing daily as a result of your injuries. Daily notes concerning the following can be powerful evidence in support of your claim:
- The physical pain you experience every day
- How your injuries limit your ability to take care of your family, engage in hobbies, or perform other everyday tasks
- The impact your injuries have had on your emotional well-being
Talk to Maryland Car Accident Lawyer at Timothy A. Dachille and Associates Today
If you have been injured in a car accident, we can help you build a strong claim to get the compensation you deserve. Call or email a Maryland car accident lawyer today to schedule a free consultation.