As we have discussed in earlier blogs when you or a loved one is in a car accident it is very important to gather as much evidence as possible to help you collect the maximum amount from the at-fault driver. The problem with this is that aside from the physical evidence at the scene of the accident other evidence can be difficult to obtain. This discussion gives a couple ways that you can gather specific information if you know what you are looking for.
If you have filed a personal injury lawsuit, you will be able to obtain information from the at-fault driver which may be useful evidence at trial. One way to do this is through the use of car accident interrogatories — written questions that the other party must answer, under oath, when a specified period of time. You can use interrogatories to gather evidence for your case, such as learning of the defendant’s conduct prior to the accident (was he or she drinking? Playing with a cell phone?).
You can also gather evidence through a deposition, which is out-of-court testimony, given under oath, and generally recorded and transcribed by a court reporter. Depositions not only may lead to important evidence, but may also be introduced as evidence at trial in order to impeach that witness (ie., lower his or her credibility in the eyes of the jury) should the trial testimony differ significantly from the deposition testimony.
Take the time to gather as much evidence as possible after a car accident. The more documentation and information you have, the stronger your case will be, and the more likely you will obtain a satisfactory resolution to your claim. An experienced personal injury attorney can ease some of the burden by engaging in fact-finding, gathering the necessary documentation, and crafting concise and thorough demands for settlement of your claim. Northland Injury Law helps victims injured in car accidents recover the compensation they need. If you have been personally injured, call 816-400-4878 for a Missouri automobile accident lawyer today.
