Being involved in an accident can be an incredibly overwhelming event. Not only are you in pain but you may be forced to take time off work to heal your injuries, which can cause financial stress as the medical bills pile up. Unfortunately, recovering compensation isn’t as simple as you may believe, as the other party likely will do everything in their power to avoid negligence. As such, you’ll need to gather evidence to help show their actions resulted in your injuries. The following blog explores why this is critical and what proof personal injury attorneys in Baltimore County can help you gather.
Why Is Collecting Evidence Important for My Personal Injury Claim?
When you sustain an injury, such as when you’re struck by another vehicle, you’ll find that recovering compensation for the damages you’ve endured can be incredibly difficult. This is because the other party will likely deny that they were responsible to avoid facing consequences for their actions. As such, it’s imperative to do everything possible to show that you were not negligent in these matters.
Gathering evidence to show the negligence of the other party is one of the most important things you can do in Maryland, as this is one of the few contributory negligence states. Essentially, this means if you are found even 1% at fault for the collision, you will be barred from collecting any damages. As such, taking the steps to protect yourself is critical.
What Proof Should I Collect?
One of the first things you should do at the scene of an accident is immediately contact the police. Not only does this create documentation of the accident and allow the police to conduct a preliminary investigation into the cause and fault, but it is also required by law if the crash results in injury or death. It’s important to understand that though these are not admissible pieces of evidence, they can help your attorney.
Next, you’ll want to take photos and videos of the scene. This includes the damage to both vehicles, any hazards on the road, tire marks, damage to surrounding structures, your injuries, and the inside of the other driver’s vehicle. Photos and help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
One of the most critical steps you should take in the aftermath of a car accident is to seek immediate medical attention. Not only does this help establish medical care, but if you are treated at the scene of the accident and in the days after, the defense cannot claim that you contributed to your damages by delaying medical care, thus deeming you negligent. Be sure to keep all medical records and bills you receive, as this can help establish proof of damages.
As you can see, it’s imperative to take the necessary steps to protect yourself following an accident. Working with an attorney is critical to help you navigate this complex legal process to avoid making errors that can hurt the outcome of your case. At the Law Office of Markey & Orsi, we understand how frustrating these matters can be, which is why our firm is dedicated to helping you recover the compensation you deserve. Connect with us today to learn how we can help you.
