If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, it’s important to find and preserve evidence of what happened. Navigating a personal injury claim is not as simple as you may think as the responsible party will likely dispute their liability for your damages. As such, you should know what evidence you will need to make your case as strong as possible. Please continue reading to learn what evidence can support your personal injury claim and why connecting with our dedicated Prince George’s County Personal Injury Lawyers is in your best interest.
Why is Collecting Evidence Important for My Personal Injury Claim?
To prove a personal injury claim in Maryland and show that your injuries and financial losses are the result of the negligence of another party, you must present substantial evidence. Unfortunately, recovering compensation isn’t as straightforward as you may believe. Navigating the claims process can be incredibly difficult as you will have to fulfill the burden of proof. Essentially, you will have to establish that the defendant is responsible for causing their injuries. This will take various forms of evidence, including witness testimony, documents, and videos. You need to prove each element of negligence: duty, breach causation, and damages.
In addition, Maryland is a contributory negligence state, which means that if you were partially at fault for the accident that caused your injuries you will not be able to recover compensation. As such, when liability is disputed, it’s imperative to do everything possible to show that you were not negligent to protect your legal rights.
What Evidence Should I Collect?
As mentioned above, personal injury claims can be difficult to prove for many reasons. Therefore, it’s crucial to gather as much evidence as possible to support your case. The more evidence you have, the more likely you will be able to reach a fair settlement for endured damages. One of the first things you should do is contact emergency services. Not only will this inform the police but it will ensure that you receive the proper treatment you need. The police will investigate the cause of the accident. A police report will include details like the date, time, and location of the accident, as well as the personal information of everyone involved. This piece of evidence can help your attorney build a strong case.
Following an accident, it’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention. This will help prevent minor injuries from becoming more serious and identify hidden injuries that may have delayed symptoms. Alongside ensuring your well-being, seeking medical attention will create documentation, enabling you to link your injuries to the accident. Keep track of your medical records. This form of evidence will make it much harder for the insurance company or opposing side to challenge the severity of causation of the injuries sustained.
If circumstances permit, you should take photos and videos of the scene. This includes property damages, your injuries, and any other factors that could have contributed to the cause of the accident. It’s also importnat to collect contact infromation from any witnesses who observed the accident as they can provide an objective account of what happened.
At Timian & Fawcett, LLC, we are prepared to help you investigate the circumstances of the accident and gather evidence to support your claim. Connect with our legal team today to learn how we can fight for the just compensation you deserve.
