In the moments after an accident, it is natural to feel overwhelmed and unsure of your next steps. However, the steps you take in the days and weeks following the accident are essential for your rights, safety, and the total value of your claim. Preserving evidence after your accident will help your attorney build a strong case and fight for compensation on your behalf. Taking photographs, locating witnesses, and documenting your injuries will all add credibility to your claim.
If you have suffered injuries in an accident, you deserve to have a dedicated attorney on your side. At Knutson + Casey, our attorneys are committed to helping you preserve evidence and protect your rights and interests, and have experts available to look at the scene of the accident, do accident reconstructions, take drone footage of the scene, and pull and read the black boxes in the vehicles, and we can obtain government traffic cam footage. We have 30 years of experience achieving the best possible outcomes for our clients and are ready to apply our knowledge and skills to your unique case. Our attorneys understand the stress you are under and will work with you to make Minnesota’s complex claims process as straightforward as possible.
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Following your accident, there are several steps to take to preserve evidence and bolster your claim. A few ways to collect and secure essential evidence include the following:
Accidents and the immediate aftermath may feel like a whirlwind, making it challenging to collect the evidence you need before you leave the scene. Returning to the scene when you are able will allow you to take photos of conditions that may have contributed to your accident, such as vehicles not yet towed, skid marks, gauges in the pavement, damage to fences, poles or roadways, or a faulty traffic light.
Items you can see and touch can add context to your accident and strengthen your claim for compensation. Items such as a dent in your car or debris from the scene can add context to how your accident occurred. Additionally, preserving the clothes you were wearing, or that were cut off at the hospital by medical providers, can help establish the extent of your injuries so you may pursue compensation for the full extent of your losses.
Witnesses’ testimonies are invaluable to your claim. They can describe the events of your accident from an unbiased, third-party perspective and provide important insight and credibility to your case. However, witnesses may forget critical information soon after the accident, making it essential to locate and speak to any witnesses as quickly as possible. At Knutson Casey, we have investigators that go out to locate and speak to witnesses while their memory is still fresh.
Following your accident, seeking medical attention as soon as possible is vital. Many injuries that may not seem severe immediately following your accident could worsen significantly over time without proper treatment. Your medical records can also demonstrate the validity of your injuries and support your claim.
Another way to document your injuries is to keep a pain journal detailing your emotional and physical symptoms. This will help your attorney advocate for compensation for the full scope of your injuries and other losses.
Knutson Casey investigates accidents immediately, by sending our investigators, taking photos, quickly obtaining drone footage of the scene, completing accident reconstructions, inspecting vehicles, obtaining government cam footage, speaking to witnesses, and reading the black boxes of the vehicles, which often show speed, turning and braking just prior to impact. It is critical to obtain this evidence before it disappears.
At Knutson + Casey, our dedication to upholding our clients’ rights is at the heart of what we do. The challenges of a personal injury accident may be challenging, but you don’t have to navigate this process alone. Our team has consistently secured justice for personal injury victims across Minnesota. We take an individualized approach to every case to help ensure your needs are heard and addressed.
If you’re seeking counsel from a skilled attorney, don’t hesitate to contact our team. Call us at (507) 344-8888 today for a free consultation, or connect with us via our contact form.