You can document your injuries and damages after a Columbus car accident by taking photos and videos of all your accident-related losses. You may also want to write down your version of events in a journal, as some accident victims forget details of the crash over time.
You may also decide to hire a Columbus car accident lawyer for help documenting your damages after a collision. Your motor vehicle accident attorney can gather evidence to build your claim and prove you deserve compensation.
Documenting Your Injuries and Damages After a Columbus Car Accident
Within minutes of a motor vehicle accident, matters can get chaotic. To protect your right to compensation, you should start documenting your injuries and damages at the accident scene.
We recommend that you:
- Use your cell phone to take photos of the accident scene and your injuries
- Record videos of the damage to your vehicle, the position of all cars involved in the wreck, the road’s conditions, and the weather
- Make notes on how you feel, commenting on the severity of your injuries and recording how the crash happened
- Speak to witnesses, being sure to gather their names and contact information
You may also want to take notes on the makes, models, and license plate numbers of the other cars involved. It can be difficult to remember these details once the towing company arrives and removes these vehicles.
Why You Should Document Your Injuries and Damages After an Auto Accident in Columbus
Documenting your losses helps you and your legal team get a jumpstart on your accident claim. The at-fault driver may try to claim that they did not cause the accident, but with enough evidence, we can prove that you’re entitled to compensation. Other reasons to document your damages include:
- Your doctor may want to see photos of what your injuries looked like right when you sustained them. This can help them understand whether your injuries are worsening, which they can make note of in your medical records.
- It can make an insurance claim denial less likely. The insurance company may deny your claim if it doesn’t have evidence of your accident and injuries. Having documentation on hand can prevent any issues during the claims process.
- You must prove another party was negligent before you can seek compensation from them. You can prove a negligent driver caused your crash with the evidence of your injuries and damages.
You can also hire a personal injury lawyer in Columbus to manage your case. They’ll be able to collect any evidence your case needs.
Types of Evidence That May Support Your Columbus Accident Claim
There’s no such thing as having too much evidence to support your personal injury claim or lawsuit. Some information to supplement your case may include:
- Your medical bills and medical records, which can prove that the injuries you suffered occurred because of the accident
- Video footage of the accident from witnesses or surveillance cameras
- Photos taken by any witnesses, which may reveal the extent of your property damage
- Dashcam footage of the accident
- The police report
- Eyewitness and expert witness statements
Your personal injury attorney can collect this evidence for you while you recover from your injuries.
Documenting Your Losses Can Help You Recover Financial Compensation
When you have a record of the injuries and damages you suffered, it can make recovering compensation a little less complicated. With proof of your accident-related damages, you may recover compensation for:
- Medical care costs: Any medical expenses you incurred because of the accident are compensable, including the cost of emergency transport, assistive devices, prescription medications, and doctor’s visits.
- Pain and suffering: You can recover compensation for your physical pain and suffering.
- Mental anguish: If the accident caused you to suffer anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), you can seek compensation for these struggles.
- Lost income: If you had to take off work to heal from your injuries, you could recover compensation for the income you lost.
- Reduced earning capacity: Some accident victims cannot return to the job they had before the accident. In this case, you can seek compensation for the money you can no longer earn.
- Property damage: You can pursue compensation from the at-fault party to pay for the damage or destruction of your vehicle.
If you aren’t sure which damages you qualify to recover, consider working with an auto accident attorney. They’ll help you document your damages and seek a fair settlement for the losses you sustained.
What Else Should You Do After a Car Accident in Columbus?
Other than documenting your damages, there are a few steps you should take after an accident to protect your right to fair compensation.
Our auto accident attorneys recommend that you:
Visit a Doctor Right Away
You’ll want to see a doctor right after your accident to ensure your safety and begin a treatment plan. Visiting a doctor also proves to the insurance company that your injuries resulted from your accident. Your medical bills and statements from your doctor can help your lawyer build your case.
Avoid Speaking to the Insurance Company
Right after the accident, the insurance company may try to contact you for a recorded statement. You don’t have to provide one. In fact, you shouldn’t. Instead, let your lawyer communicate with the insurance company. They can seek fair financial compensation and give the insurer the information it requires.
Consider Prompt Legal Action
You don’t have to understand state law to hold another motorist accountable for your Ohio car accident. Yet, you should know about the statute of limitations (Ohio Revised Code Section 2305.10). This statute states that you generally have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. Once this deadline expires, so does your right to compensation. For that reason (and many others), you benefit from initiating prompt legal action.
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Contact Us Today to Work With Our Columbus Car Accident Lawyers
After an accident in Columbus, you don’t need to document your injuries and damages by yourself. Instead, you can work with one of our auto accident lawyers at The Fitch Law Firm LLC.
We will guide you through the legal process and secure the evidence you need to support your case. Call us today for a free initial consultation. We’re available 24/7.