Car accidents are so common, that countless drivers suffer life-altering injuries daily, requiring costly medical procedures and incurring other expenses. While you may have the right to seek compensation, damages are not guaranteed, and our lawyers can take the steps to build a strong case that gives you the relief you need.
Right after the collision, preserve evidence of property damage and debris by photographing it. Be candid with responding police officers and get medical attention if you are at all hurt. Our attorneys can then take over evidence collection and preservation, contacting nearby business owners or homeowners with possible security cameras facing the crash location. We can enlist the experts we think would best benefit your case, compile your medical records, and use that evidence to leverage an optimal settlement or to prove fault at a trial in Frostburg.
Get your free case assessment when you call the car accident lawyers of Rice Law at (410) 694-7291.
Collecting Evidence at the Scene of Your Car Accident in Frostburg, MD
Considerable evidence may be available only in the moments after a crash in Frostburg. Because of this, one of the best things you can do is use your phone to photograph the aftermath, in addition to calling the police so officers can help with documentation.
Do your best to capture any property damage to your vehicle and the negligent driver’s car, and request officers to help you if your injuries are too severe. In addition to images of property damage, it will be beneficial to have pictures of debris or tire marks on the road, as well as nearby traffic signs.
When speaking to police officers, tell them what happened to the best of your ability so that the resulting accident report is accurate. Refrain from apologizing to the other driver, as this could be misconstrued as you accepting some liability. Maryland is a pure contributory fault state, which means any plaintiffs who contribute to their injuries in some way will be blocked from getting compensation.
Eyewitnesses might stop to offer aid, in which case you can request their contact information. Give this to our car accident lawyers as soon as possible, as this can facilitate faster interviews with witnesses after collisions.
If you notice injuries right after the crash, do not deny assistance offered from paramedics. Let them take you to the hospital to be evaluated. If you do not feel immediately hurt and notice pain in the coming hours or days, get evaluated then.
Collecting Evidence Following Your Car Accident in Frostburg, MD
After contacting our lawyers about your case, we can begin the process of preserving and collecting additional evidence. For example, on top of interviewing eyewitnesses, we may involve relevant expert witnesses, investigate potential sources of video footage, and get the crash report to review. Medical records will be crucial, and we will get and organize them as well.
Video Footage
Homes or businesses near the crash site could have security cameras, and getting this footage right away is crucial. Owners might unknowingly delete or override footage as time passes, so we will contact them immediately to retrieve it. Depending on its clarity, the footage might show the defendant making a reckless or illegal maneuver just before striking your vehicle.
Expert Witnesses
Crash reconstruction experts are especially helpful in addressing contributory negligence arguments from defendants attempting to evade liability for victims’ injuries. Experts work in reverse by analyzing footage, videos, police reports, vehicle black box data, eyewitness statements, and other information to piece together a collision’s sequence of events. This can put to bed assertions that you were speeding or otherwise acting negligently yourself when the accident happened.
Eyewitnesses
Eyewitnesses can be similarly useful, laying out what occurred and each party’s participation in the accident. These witnesses can also attest to any visible injuries the victim had on the scene and provide additional context that benefits claims.
Medical Records
We will compile all relevant medical records for your case as you generate them. Records will come from any emergency room visits, appointments with specialists, and treatments or tests you undergo. Physicians’ notes and statements regarding your injuries and recovery timeline can also be helpful, and we will organize this information for your case so that the severity of your injuries and the extent of your medical damages are understood during settlement negotiations or a trial.
Using Evidence to Get Compensation After Your Car Accident in Frostburg, MD
Spending the time to prepare a strong case benefits plaintiffs, as they may be able to compel better out-of-court settlements from defendants, enabling them to avoid trials while recovering the damages they need after a collision.
When viewed together, the expert witness statements, eyewitness statements, videos, photographs, and medical records we present may quickly reach the standard of proof and show the defendant is more than likely liable for your injuries. In response to this, the defendant might be willing to give a larger settlement out of court, especially after some discussion with our attorneys. Even if the defendant does not increase their offers, the preparation done in the initial stages of your case can ensure we are ready for court and to prove liability at trial.
Going to trials sometimes brings out better settlement offers from defendants that plaintiffs feel more comfortable accepting. Defendants might continue to send offers until close to the end of a trial, and our lawyers can consider them as they arrive.
Though many victims are hesitant to go to court, it can be an opportunity to prove liability and claim even greater damages from jury awards. Jurors might be understanding of victims’ mental suffering, compensating them handsomely for their non-economic damages.
Get Our Help with Your Frostburg, MD Car Accident Case
Have Rice Law assess your case for free, and call our car accident lawyers today at (410) 694-7291.