Even when you do your best to drive responsibly and safely, car accidents do happen. Being involved in a car wreck can be a devastating experience, and the cost implications of treating your injuries and fixing damages incurred to your property can be quite high.
If you find yourself involved in a car accident caused by another person, you are entitled to a claim to recover your losses. However, filing a claim after a car accident is not always straightforward.
The burden of proof is on you
Insurance companies rarely want to settle a claim quickly — even when the driver they insured was clearly at fault. Most of the time, they’ll try to diminish or devalue your claim by suggesting that you were at least partially at fault for your own injuries — or that your injuries aren’t nearly as serious as you claim. They may even try to say that your injuries are unrelated to the wreck.
Evidence can help you overcome objections to your claim
Fortunately, there are a number of ways to gather credible evidence that will support your claims and boost your chances of getting the settlement you deserve. Here are useful pieces of evidence you need to gather when filing your personal injury claim:
- A police report that gives information about the wreck
- Eyewitness accounts that help confirm your version of events
- Medical reports that tie your condition back to the wreck
- Photos of the accident scene that show the damage to your vehicle
- Photos of your injuries and a pain diary that supports your claim
Negotiating a reasonable settlement with an insurance company isn’t an easy task but it isn’t something you have to do alone. Often, it’s wiser to put your case in the hands of an experienced advocate — because you can’t put your faith in the insurance adjuster’s sense of fairness.
