Evidence that can strengthen a Miami car accident claim could include, but is not limited to, photo and video evidence, police reports, medical records, and expert testimony.
It is important to note that not all of this evidence will be available in every case. That is okay: you may still be able to recover compensation. A Miami car accident lawyer from our firm can collect all available evidence to build the strongest possible case file.
How Each Kind of Evidence Strengthens Car Accident Cases
It is very important to collect evidence from as many different sources as possible, because each source strengthens a different aspect of your Miami car accident claim:
- Miami Police Department reports provide the official account of how the accident happened, who was involved, and what the consequences were. This helps us establish liability and can even identify other types of evidence the police collected that we can use.
- Photos and videos can show the accident as it actually happened, or provide insight into the moments immediately before or after the collision—all of which can support your version of events.
- Medical records describe your exact diagnosis and prognosis, what treatments you have already undergone, and what treatments you may need in the future, which is helpful when estimating your current and future medical costs and pain and suffering.
- Testimony from experts like doctors, economists, or accident reconstructionists can shed additional light on key aspects of your case, confirming the information found in other sources and strengthening your case.
The more high-quality evidence you can find, the stronger your case becomes. We can use evidence to resolve liability disputes, establish the severity of your injuries, and fight back if the insurance company tries to avoid paying what you deserve.
What Happens If You are Missing Evidence?
Not every kind of evidence is available in every single case. For example, if there were no cameras around or if the footage has already been deleted, then we will not be able to use video footage to prove how the accident happened.
If a few sources of evidence are unavailable or do not provide the information you are looking for, try not to worry: there are often other sources we can turn to. In addition to the other evidence sources listed above, we might collect:
- Witness statements
- Company records (if a business or corporation was involved, as with product liability cases)
- Black box data(if the vehicle that hit you was equipped with a recording device)
We try to gather as much evidence as possible to:
- Account for any gaps in other parts of the record
- Create redundancies: if multiple pieces of evidence tell the same story, then your case will be stronger
- Leave as little room for doubt as possible, so the insurance company is less likely to be able to argue their way out of paying fair damages
How Your Testimony Can Strengthen Your Legal Claim
In addition to statements and paperwork from other sources, your own statements are often a critical part of a car accident claim. It is therefore very important that you watch what you say publicly and that you carefully prepare for all interactions with the insurer.
Our law firm recommends that you:
- Avoid discussing the accident on social media, as the insurance adjuster may be monitoring your accounts for material they can use against you
- Get ready for your deposition (interview) with the insurer by letting us explain what the process entails and how you should answer their questions
- Avoid speaking with the insurer alone, because they will almost certainly use this opportunity to try to get you to say something against your interests
- Keep conversations with the police short—while it is important to give them honest answers when they respond to your crash, you also do not want to speculate or say something you will have to “take back” later
- Your testimony should be truthful, consistent, and clear. It can be difficult to get your point across when you are still shaken from the accident, so keep interactions with others to a minimum until you get a chance to consult with us.
What Evidence Will The Insurance Company Use Against You?
Just like your own lawyer, the insurer’s legal team will be looking to strengthen their case as much as possible. They might review many of the same kinds of evidence that we do. They may also have access to internal documents or testimony from the at-fault party that we have not had a chance to look at yet.
How do you know what evidence the insurer has against you? Our legal team can find out during a process called “discovery,” when both sides can exchange evidence and get a general sense of:
- How strong the other party’s case is
- What strategies or arguments the other party is planning to use
- What their own chances of winning the case are
With a strong enough case file, we can persuade the insurance company to settle right away rather than risk losing at trial.
In any case, our legal team does not shy away from complex cases. No matter how long it takes to resolve your lawsuit, we can be there to protect your rights and fight for the compensation you need and deserve.
Let Our Miami Auto Accident Lawyers Collect Evidence on Your Behalf
Anidjar & Levine understands how different kinds of evidence offer different advantages as we build a personal injury case. We have a limited time to file your case, so call today. We can start collecting evidence to strengthen your Miami car accident claim and seek the damages you need to take back control of your life.
