Personal injury cases vary greatly in nature, and are often quite complex. While there is no exact template, recovering compensation requires that a certain legal process is followed. One vital component – personal injury case evidence.
The burden of proof rests on the injury victim, requiring them to prove the following in order to hold another person accountable for their actions:
- The defendant owed a duty of care.
- The defendant breached this duty.
- The breach resulted in the victim’s injuries.
- The victim incurred damages as a result of their injury.
Proving liability requires compelling evidence. Your Charleston personal injury attorney can help gather the documentation necessary to show that the at-fault party’s negligence caused your injury – and that you deserve certain damages as compensation.
Important Pieces of Evidence for Your Injury Claim
Regardless of the type of accident you have been involved in, whether a work injury, slip and fall, or car accident, any evidence you can gather will strengthen your personal injury claim. In fact, the damages you receive depend greatly on the evidence provided. Here are a few pieces of key personal injury case evidence that will help your Charleston personal injury attorney as they craft your case:
- Medical records
Be sure to retain a copy of all medical records and bills. These documents not only show the extent of your accident injuries but can also be used to help determine the value of your personal injury claim.
- Lost wages
If your injury keeps you from returning to work, you may be eligible for compensation for lost wages. Ask your employer for documentation of the days you missed and the wages you would have received. If your doctor provided a note advising you not to return to work or to refrain from certain tasks, this will serve as helpful evidence as well.
- Accident reports
The accident report will provide insight into the details of your accident. Police reports will be completed by the officer who arrives on the scene, but if your accident occurred in a commercial business or public space, the property owner may fill out their own incident report.
- Photos and/or videos
Photographic and video evidence can be tremendously helpful, providing a visual representation of the accident scene. It such a great source of personal injury case evidence. Take as many photos as possible, including anything that contributed to the accident as well as your injuries.
- Witness testimony
If there were any witnesses present when your accident occurred, record a statement from them if possible. Also, get their contact information so that your Charleston personal injury attorney can get in touch if needed.
- Proof of pain and suffering
Pain and suffering, while extremely real to victims, is intangible – and often very difficult to quantify. Keeping a daily pain journal that records things like pain levels, nightmares, depression, medication side effects, etc. will help your attorney assign a monetary value to your pain and suffering.
- Communication logs
You are not advised to speak to the insurance company without first consulting your Charleston personal injury attorney. But if you have any communication with them about your injury claim, be sure to carefully document it. Remember, the insurance adjuster is not on your side, so we recommend letting Hoffman Law Firm handle all communications.
Trusted Charleston Personal Injury Attorneys Near Me, Choose Us To Fight for You!
Your personal injury case matters. Starting with your free consultation, our team will do all we can to recover the damages you deserve. This includes meticulously gathering evidence to support your injury claim and using it to hold the at-fault party accountable.
Our personal injury law firm offers trusted legal representation in a wide variety of cases here in the Lowcountry, including:
To maximize you results, you need skilled Lowcountry lawyers – look not further than Attorney David Hoffman’s legal team. If you are injured and seeking a skilled Charleston car accident lawyer near me, you can choose Hoffman Law Firm.
So let’s begin, we are ready with your initial free consultation today!