As trial attorneys, I know that a large part of the effort that goes into building a case often has to do with understanding the severity of the injuries that my clients have suffered so that I can better explain those injuries to the responsible party’s insurance company (or to the jury if the case goes to trial). This also helps the jury when deciding the amount of compensation that my clients should receive.
Also, if you were in a simple fender-bender in which no one was injured, the insurance company for the driver at fault might be willing to make a financial offer that is acceptable and settle the matter outside of court. In contrast, if the car wreck involved multiple vehicles (and therefore multiple drivers), if you sustained severe and complicated medical injuries, or if you are seeking significant damages as a result of your injuries and losses, it is often more difficult to reach a settlement outside of court and a lawsuit may need to be brought. While most people would prefer to settle outside of court to save time, cost, and energy, that is not always possible. When that happens, you need an attorney that has trial experience and knows how to gather evidence as part of the preparation process, something we strive to do well.
In today’s digital world, more and more evidence is gathered based on your digital footprint, some of which could be helpful in building your case.
• Cell phones. Your cell phone can come in handy after an accident. If you were using a navigation app, it might show us where you were when the accident occurred and even what businesses were around you. Simultaneously, your phone can be used to capture information at the scene of the wreck, including pictures of both vehicles’ location after impact, the damage to both vehicles, the road, the condition of the other driver, etc. Assuming it can be done safely; taking pictures of everything you can, will often be helpful since they can be used in court. As trial attorneys, we know that it is easy to forget things after the fact and pictures can help to jog the memory and provide context.
• Social media. If your accident was out of the ordinary, there is a good chance that other people also took photos and posted them to social media. If you were too injured to take pictures and pictures taken by others can be located, they
• Cameras. At many places you go, a camera or video camera may be capturing an image of you. If the other driver ran a red light, as an example, we might be able to locate that footage to use in court.
As trial attorneys, we are always prepared to go to court. That being said, many of our clients often desire to get their claims resolved without have to go to court. However, that is only possible if the responsible party’s insurance company is willing to settlement the claim for a reasonable amount. If they are not, going to court becomes the only way to get our client compensated for the injuries and damages he/she sustained. In that event, we will work with you to build the case to explain what happened and why you are deserving of compensation. For more information, call and schedule a consultation.
