When faced with a personal injury case, the first step in seeking justice and compensation is to hire a skilled lawyer who will conduct a thorough investigation. This investigation aims to determine the cause of the accident and identify the party at fault for your injuries. By utilizing extensive resources and gathering sufficient evidence, your lawyer can build a strong case on your behalf. In this blog post, we will delve into the key steps involved in a personal injury investigation, shedding light on how the process unfolds.
Step 1: Gathering Crucial Details Through Comprehensive Discussions
The initial stage of the investigation involves an in-depth discussion between you and your lawyer. By asking specific questions, your attorney aims to extract as much detail as possible, reconstructing the accident scenario to determine the factors that led to your injuries. This step lays the foundation for the subsequent investigation process.
Step 2: Obtaining Official Accident Reports
Your attorney will request a copy of the accident or incident report related to your case. If the incident occurred on public property or at a medical facility, the report will be obtained from the respective management or administrative office. In the case of a car accident, your lawyer will purchase the traffic crash report, providing valuable insights for your case.
Step 3: Leveraging Witness Statements for Evidence
Witnesses play a critical role in personal injury cases. If your attorney can locate individuals who witnessed the accident, their statements will be recorded and used as compelling evidence to support your claim. If necessary, these witnesses can be called to testify during a trial, particularly if a lawsuit needs to be filed.
Step 4: Analyzing Security Footage for Objective Evidence
In situations where a security camera was present near the accident site, your lawyer will obtain the footage and thoroughly review it. Security footage often provides an unbiased account of the events leading up to the incident, making it difficult to dispute. If the footage clearly shows that your injuries resulted from someone else’s actions, it can serve as strong evidence to bolster your case.
Step 5: The Importance of Medical Records
Medical records play a crucial role in personal injury cases, providing comprehensive documentation of your injuries and their circumstances. These records establish when and how the injury occurred, creating a valuable timeline to showcase the treatment you received and the progress of your recovery. They serve as vital evidence to substantiate the extent of your injuries.
Step 6: On-Site Investigations and Photographic Evidence
In some cases, it may be necessary for your attorney to visit the scene of the accident to gather additional evidence. Although evidence at the scene can be quickly cleaned up, such as in a car crash scenario, other situations may allow for the collection of photographic evidence. Examples include road defects like potholes, damaged flooring on commercial properties, or slippery surfaces at public swimming pools. Photographs can provide visual proof of hazardous conditions that contributed to your injuries.
Moving Forward: Initiate a Claim
If you have been injured in an accident, it’s your right to seek compensation for your injury claims. Personal injury law can be intimidating and confusing. Fortunately, a skilled and knowledgeable personal injury lawyer can help. An attorney can conduct an in-depth investigation of your accident, protect your rights, and make sure you don’t say anything that could compromise your injury claim.
To schedule a free consultation and case evaluation with the experienced and compassionate personal injury lawyers call OnderLaw.
