Life is a gamble, and in a fraction of a second, a car accident can change your life forever. It can traumatize victims, leaving them with emotional distress, medical bills, and bodily injuries. In Michigan, after a car accident, victims need to find the evidence necessary to seek compensation and determine liability. However, it can be a very daunting task.
Most insurance companies usually give the victims a hard time. As a result, it affects their well-being for the following years. That is why if you are a victim of a car accident in Michigan, you must get the services of a skilled Michigan car accident lawyer who can assist you throughout the legal process. In case you live in Illinois, you can get help from Legal Finders, and in a similar way, you can find your city specific lawyers.
In this article, you are going to learn more about how a lawyer helps in the process of gathering evidence after a car accident to help the victims get the justice and compensation that they deserve. Let’s dive deeper!
Ways in Which Lawyers Help You Gather Evidence After a Car Accident
Collecting the Medical Records
A car accident might leave you with serious injuries, which will require you to seek medical attention. The medical records act as evidence in court.
Lawyers play a crucial role in obtaining medical records, which show details of your injuries, the treatment and tests from doctors, and the bills. The medical records act as evidence in court.
In addition, it is essential to gather these records because the correct medical records assist the lawyer in building a solid and worthy case against the opposing party. Furthermore, the medical records also aid in getting fair compensation for the pain and suffering.
Investigating the Scene of the Accident
To conduct an investigation, the lawyer must visit the place where the accident occurred. Some of the tasks that the lawyers do at the accident scene are to assess and note down the evidence and crucial details like photos of the surroundings, factors that contributed to the accident, and time to support your case strongly.
Acquiring Reports from the Police
After a car accident, your lawyer will get copies of the police reports. These reports consist of witnesses, citations issued, officers’ observations and statements from parties involved, the time and date when the accident occurred, witnesses present, a description of the vehicles, and the measurements the officers took during the accident.
It is crucial to involve the police whenever you are at an accident scene to get the police report quickly.
Finding the Statements from Witnesses
Whenever an accident occurs, you will always find witnesses at the scene. Lawyers usually conduct interviews to obtain information from witnesses while it is still fresh in their minds. They write it down before it fades from memory.
Additionally, some of the testimonials that witnesses make should explain the events that took place to determine who was in the wrong. The statement should explain, for example, the direction each vehicle was heading, where the accident happened, and if the drivers decided to take safety measures.
Providing the Surveillance Footage
Suppose there are homes and businesses with surveillance cameras where the accident occurred; the footage will help your lawyer analyze some of the main factors like not observing the traffic laws, speeding, and careless driving that might have led to the accident.
To top it all off, your lawyer must obtain the surveillance footage because it acts as solid evidence when seeking compensation.
Presenting the Documents
When the lawyer presents the documents, it helps prevent the evidence from getting lost or destroyed.
In addition, your lawyer will usually send a letter to notify the relevant entities and involved parties, asking them to preserve all the documents or potential litigation related to the accident.
Involving Expert Witnesses
Sometimes lawyers face a complex case, forcing them to find expert witnesses. These expert witnesses consist of medical professionals and reconstruction specialists who assist in analyzing and providing their expertise on the accident.
Additionally, these expert witnesses explain in detail the technical aspects, and they give their options professionally to ensure your case has solid support.
Issuing the Subpoenas and Discovery
If possible, lawyers have the power to issue subpoenas. The subpoenas help in satisfying the testimony or the presentation of the documents.
Also, lawyers can take part in the process of discovery, which enables them to make a request for evidence and information from the party that is opposing them.
Conclusion
If you are involved in an accident, hire a lawyer with experience in car accident cases. Lawyers know legal procedures and will use the best strategies to build a solid case to help you get compensated.