If you get hurt in any type of motor vehicle accident in Texas and need to file a personal injury lawsuit, you’ll want to strengthen your case any way you can.
The best way to strengthen your case? Documentation. In this article, our Dallas personal injury lawyers will explain what to keep track of and why it’s so important.
Like any legal case, winning a personal injury claim requires evidence that shows why a judge or jury should side with you. Much of that evidence will come in the form of documents.
When we say “document everything,” we mean keep a record of what happened at the accident scene, the extent of your injuries and the expenses you incur due to those injuries. A document can be paperwork like medical bills or car repair invoices. Photos and videos are also documentation.
You should always call the police after an auto accident in Texas. They’ll create a police report, which will contain details about the scene and the officers’ views on who was responsible. Police reports are valuable evidence, as they are viewed as an unbiased account of what happened.
If possible, take pictures at the accident scene. Get photos of road signs, vehicles involved in the crash and the general area. Take more pictures than you think you need and send them all to your lawyer, even if you don’t think they’ll help. Your lawyer may see valuable information to strengthen your case.
Video can be incredibly strong evidence, too. If you have a dashcam, make sure your lawyer gets the footage. If the crash happened in a town or city, a traffic camera may have recorded it; your attorney can obtain that footage.
Finally, if you can, write down the names and contact information of people who witnessed the crash. Their statements could help build your case later on.
Always accept medical attention after the accident. You might not feel hurt immediately, but adrenaline can mask the pain.
In the hospital, the doctor can assess your medical condition and create medical records. These records will document what injuries you suffered and the doctor’s opinion on their severity. The earlier these records are created, the better for your case.
You can also bolster your case by taking video of yourself. For example, a video showing you working on physical rehab can help show how your injuries have impacted your life.
Be sure to keep receipts for every prescription drug you need to take. Write down the date of every visit to a doctor, hospital, rehab facility, chiropractor, lawyer’s office, auto mechanic and so on. All of this helps show the time and effort required to get your life back on track.
Call 877-Ted-Lyon or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with the proven legal team of Ted B. Lyon & Associates in Dallas.
