CHICAGO, IL – When you suffer injuries, or significant property damage in a car accident, you may expect that the party that caused the accident, or that party’s insurance company will pay reasonable compensation for your damages; however, the insurance company may fight the claim to reduce the compensation it pays, such as denying liability for the accident.
Video Footage
Any video footage of the car accident, like dash cam footage, can go a long way toward establishing liability. While dash cam footage can only show what occurs within the view of the camera, which means it can’t show things like a rear-end collision, it can provide a clearer view of what happened leading up to the crash, such as which vehicle ran a red light or whether a driver ignored the rules of the road.
Your lawyer may still access video footage of the accident by viewing traffic camera footage or security camera footage from local businesses which can prove who caused the accident.
Accident Scene Photos
Insurance companies can’t go back to the scene of your accident to get a better idea of what variable contributed to the crash; however, they can look at photos of the accident scene which will provide them with essential information about the vehicles’ positioning and the accident scene itself.
Photos of the scene will indicate the damage to both vehicles, the position of the vehicles on the road which can determine which vehicle hit the other, and features of the area like blocking signs that may contribute to the accident or decreased visibility which can make it difficult for drivers to maneuver safely through the area.
Witness Statements
Witnesses who saw your car accident can provide several potential insights into what contributed to your car crash. Witnesses often have a clearer view of the accident than either driver involved. They may offer insights into what obstacles the drivers encountered that increased the risk of the accident or any dangerous behaviors drivers engaged in. Witnesses also usually have no bias related to the accident or the individuals involved meaning they can offer a clearer picture of the events that led to the accident.
It’s important to have witnesses wait until authorities arrive because witness memory can prove less clear than people might hope. Witness memory can fade quickly, making it essential that you contact a car accident attorney as soon as possible.
Expert Evaluation
During some accident claims, the injured party may not have adequate evidence from the accident scene. If you suffered severe or catastrophic injuries, you may have left the scene of the accident in an ambulance leaving you unable to take photos. An expert evaluation of the damage of the vehicles involved in the accident will take a look at the accident scene to help experts recreate the accident and provide insights into who bears liability for the crash.
An experienced car accident lawyer will have experts they can call on to help with accident recreation based on vehicle damage. Thorough documentation and putting off repairs until the investigation has concluded can make it easier for experts to recreate the accident scene.
Police Reports
After any type of accident involving property damage or injury, the victims must report the accident to the local authorities including the police. The police will evaluate the evidence available at the scene of the accident, including taking witness statements, to get a better idea of what likely led to the accident.
A police report is an essential part of many accident claims. The police report lays out the accident’s time, date and location, and the parties involved in a clear way that makes it easier to establish grounds for a car accident claim. Without a police report, it can be much more difficult for the injured individual to establish that the accident occurred and caused the injuries.
Criminal Charges and Citations
Car accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, some being illegal. Take a drunk driver for example which can cause the liable driver to lose their license. Texting and driving or other types of distracted driving behavior can cause considerable consequences.
Medical Records
As part of your car accident injury claim, you may need to provide medical records to the insurance company or present them in court to seek the full compensation you deserve for those damages. Your medical records cover important issues related to your injury claim, including:
- What injuries you sustained which may range from bruising and abrasions to brain injury, spinal cord injury or internal bleeding. As part of your claim, you’ll need to include the injuries diagnosed as part of your medical care.
- When your injuries occurred which will be shown in your medical records after seeking medical attention. It’s important to seek medical attention after any car crash because your injuries may not appear right away and be prolonged. You must prove you have a history trail of seeing a doctor for your injuries, otherwise the insurance company may try to prove you suffered your injuries at another date or time.
- Limitations you experience from your injuries and how long you need treatment. Your doctor will note how your injuries have affected or limited your daily activities.
- Setbacks and complications you sustained in recovery in which medical records will help lay out what losses you dealt with because of your accident.
- Your expected prognosis including what long-term limitations you will likely experience because of your accident and future medical needs.
Your medical records can provide considerable insight into the suffering and losses you dealt with because of your accident and injuries.
Statements from Medical Care Providers
In addition to obtaining your medical records, the insurance company may ask for statements from the medical care provider overseeing your treatment. The medical care provider can provide the insurance company with more information about the specific injuries you sustained because of the car crash and what losses you will likely deal with because of it.
A statement from your medical care provider can offer information about the progression of your recovery, such as how long you will remain in recovery as a direct result of your injuries. Your lawyer may advise getting statements from any medical care providers dealing directly with you as you recover from your injuries.
Medical Bills
The cost of medical care for your car crash and injuries can depend on a variety of factors, including what procedures need to be done, how long your recovery time will be and what type of care you need. Your bills may also depend on the provider that took care of those services.
In some instances, you may need to provide a direct account of what medical bills you paid after your accident, the personal medical insurance coverage used, what you paid, the cost of co-pays and deductibles that you paid at the time of the service.
Contacting a Car Accident Lawyer in Chicago, Illinois
If you or a loved one sustained injuries in a car accident or find yourself struggling to prove liability for an accident involving personal injuries or property damage, the skilled attorneys at the Dinizulu Law Group will help you collect the evidence you need. Contact our personal injury attorneys in Illinois as soon as the accident occurred to start your claim. Our office provides free, no-obligation consultations. Get started today by calling us at (312) 384-1920.
