When you’ve been injured due to someone else’s carelessness, their insurer should cover your medical expenses and other losses. Unfortunately, insurance companies often try to evade or reduce their responsibility by deflecting blame onto you or another party. Collecting as much evidence as possible following an accident will help your attorney build a strong personal injury case and collect compensation for your losses. Here's a look at the types of documentation that are often most compelling.

What Kind of Proof Is Used in Personal Injury Cases?

1. Photos of the Accident Scene

If you’ve slipped and fallen on someone else’s property, it's wise to take pictures of the hazardous conditions that led to your injury. You should also take photos of the damage to both vehicles after an accident as well as any factors that contributed to the crash. Photographic evidence can help your attorney reconstruct the accident and prove liability.

2. Pictures of Your Injuries

The insurance company may try to minimize your medical condition or even accuse you of overstating your injuries. Juries are often sympathetic to photographic evidence, so take pictures of your injuries both before and after receiving medical treatment.

3. Police Reports

Calling the police after an accident is one of the most important steps in building a personal injury case. After police conduct an investigation, they’ll prepare a report detailing the events that led to your injuries, which insurance companies often find convincing. 

If you've been injured in an auto accident, Georgia state law requires you to notify the authorities if an accident results in injury, death, or property damage totaling more than $500. The report will also detail whether the other party was cited for a traffic or safety violation.

4. Witness Statements

Eyewitness statements can be powerful evidence establishing liability, so your attorney will likely want to interview anyone who saw what happened. Try to get the names and phone numbers of anyone present at the scene, along with a brief account of what they saw.

5. Medical Records

Medical records are the foundation of any personal injury claim, which is why it’s important to see a doctor after an accident. The records created will establish your medical condition, what treatment you require, and other information your attorney will need to calculate a fair settlement amount. Promptly seeking medical attention will link your injuries to the accident, which prevents insurers from claiming that your condition wasn’t caused by their client’s negligence.

If you’ve been injured through no fault of your own, trust the legal team at Goddard & Hammontree LLC to help you pursue justice. Their personal injury team has decades of experience representing victims throughout Georgia’s Whitfield County, and they'll give your case the individualized attention you deserve. To schedule your free consultation, visit their website or call (706) 278-0464.