Car accident cases are challenging to fight in court as there is a lot of victim blaming and other aspects that can jeopardize the case. Usually, a car accident settlement case takes weeks; however, in more complicated cases, the timeline can be months or even years. You can significantly reduce the case time by hiring an experienced lawyer. The average settlement amount for minor to mid-level car accidents ranges between $14000 to $21000. However, depending on the severity of injuries, loss of wages, and recuperation period, the settlement amount can drastically increase. To get fair compensation, you need an attorney who has experience and knows the local judicial system. You can hire highly reputed lawyers, such as the car accident lawyers at Dolman Law, who have a proven track record of not only collecting the right evidence but also winning their clients an excellent settlement.
If it’s a car accident, a couple of experts might have to establish the liability, but that depends on the accident’s nature. In such cases, New Jersey Car Accident Lawyer would require reconstruction experts, medical experts, traffic engineers, and other professionals to build the case from your end.
An attorney will collect various types of evidence in order to build a strong case for a car accident. Some of the types of evidence that an attorney may collect include
Police Reports
A police report will provide important information about the accident, including details about the vehicles involved, the names of the drivers, and any citations that were issued. They are the first thing an attorney will collect to establish facts surrounding the accident.
Witness statements
These statements are a crucial part of any trial. Witnesses can provide valuable testimony about what they saw and heard leading up to, during, and after the accident. Therefore, it is necessary to hire an attorney immediately so they can record statements while the witness’s memory is still fresh.
Medical records
After an accident, it is advisable to seek medical help as its important for your safety and is also critical to the legal process. Medical records will provide information about the injuries sustained by the victim, including the type of injury, the extent of the injury, and the treatment that was required.
Photographs
The attorney can judge a lot and establish guilt just by looking at the photos of the scene. Photographs of the accident scene, the vehicles involved, and the injuries sustained can help establish liability and the extent of damages in court. Moreover, the attorney can take help from expert witnesses who can also help in establishing the guilty party’s fault.
Expert Witness Testimony
An attorney may retain the services of experts in fields such as accident reconstruction, engineering, or medicine to help establish the cause of the accident and the extent of the injuries. Sometimes, these special witnesses can swing the case in the plaintiff’s favor. Therefore, don’t hesitate to include them in the case as well.
Video Evidence
If available, video evidence is the best proof that can be presented in court. Surveillance cameras, dash cameras, and cell phone footage can be used as evidence. Since we live in an era of technology, video evidence can be easily collected by an attorney.
Electronic Data
An attorney may collect electronic data such as vehicle data recorders, black boxes, GPS, and other electronic data that can provide important information about the accident. This list is incomplete, and a car accident attorney may gather other types of evidence depending on the case’s specific circumstances. However, as a victim, after visiting the emergency room, you should contact a suitable attorney so crucial evidence is not lost.
