What is Evidence?

If you have been injured in Clearwater, Florida, you probably know that you need evidence to prove that someone else caused your accident. But not all evidence is created equal, and not all evidence is actually beneficial to your case. 

So what is evidence? It’s any facts or information that are relevant to your legal claim. What follows is a brief discussion of commonly used evidence in Florida personal injury claims. 

Medical Records

After your Clearwater, Florida accident, you’ll need to see a doctor to make sure your injuries get the medical attention they need. Your first goal is to ensure your body is alright and any emergencies are immediately addressed. 

When you see a doctor after your crash, they will keep detailed records about your injuries. These records are your confidential medical records, but they can be extremely useful to your case.

Make sure you keep copies of at least the following:

• Emergency room records
• Hospital records
• Records from your regular doctor before and after your accident
• Medical bills and receipts for bills you’ve paid
• Psychological records
• Physical therapist records

You may need to request your medical records from your regular doctor, especially the records before your accident. These records are important because they can show how your body and life have changed since the accident.

The Accident Report

When you get into a car accident, Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) is often the agency that responds. Even if they are not, you can still get a copy of your report from FHP. Under Florida law, you can request a copy of the police accident report, even though it’s not publicly available until 60 days after the crash.

Most of the time, the police will not assign fault in an accident report. All they do is speak with everyone involved in the crash, including witnesses, to collect information about what happened. They may also include a diagram, especially if the accident happened at an intersection. This document can prove valuable to your claim as it establishes an objective record of the crash. 

Photos and Witness Statements

Sometimes, the best evidence of your accident is photos and videos. If your injuries are too severe for you to take pictures yourself, have a trusted friend or family member do it for you.

Make sure you get images and videos of your injuries and full images of the entire accident scene. Take as many pictures and videos as you can. You never know what relevant evidence might show up.

Witnesses can also provide unique perspectives about the seconds leading up to your crash. For this reason, it’s crucial that you get witness contact information so your legal team can speak with them later before they forget what they saw.

Employment Records

When you get injured, you may not be able to go back to work right away. To prove you are out of work, you can get records from your employer showing your lost wages from missed work.

You may also need to provide pay stubs from before your accident. These pay stubs will show how much money you make per hour or per week. Your lawyer will try to get you equal compensation for every hour and week you’re out of work.

A Personal Injury Journal

A personal injury journal is where you keep notes about your injuries, your pain, your limited abilities, and anything else related to your accident. 

Over time, you will not recall every hurdle and obstacle you had to overcome during your recovery process. By writing in your journal every single day, you can preserve a record of your experience. Telling the story in your own words is sometimes the best way to show how someone else’s negligence has affected you — physically and emotionally. This journal can be important evidence of your non-economic damages.

Collecting evidence is a tough process. Ensuring the evidence supports your claim is even tougher. If you or a loved one have been injured in Clearwater, Florida, you need to partner with an experienced legal team that understands what evidence is needed to help get you maximum compensation. 

Contact the skilled team at Perenich, Avril, Caulfield and Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers today to schedule your free consultation with a member of our legal team.