When you hire a Kansas City car accident attorney, they’ll thoroughly investigate your case to build the strongest possible claim. They’ll secure the accident scene, gathering important evidence and witness statements. They’ll analyze the police report, examine your medical records, and reconstruct the collision to determine liability.
By identifying who bears legal responsibility, your attorney can guarantee you receive the maximum compensation you’re entitled to for your injuries and damages. To learn more about how a Kansas City car accident attorney can protect your rights and interests, continue reading.
Securing the Accident Scene
After a car accident, your priority should be to safeguard the accident scene. This involves making the area safe for other drivers and pedestrians by turning on your hazard lights, setting up flares or reflective triangles, and moving your vehicle to the side of the road if possible.
It’s also vital to call the police and wait for their arrival, as they’ll help document the accident and secure the scene properly. While you’re waiting, avoid moving any debris or altering the scene in any way, as this could compromise the investigation.
Instead, focus on gathering important information, such as the contact details of any witnesses and photos of the damage to your vehicle and the accident site. This meticulous approach won’t only help protect your rights but also assist the authorities in determining the cause of the accident and identifying any responsible parties.
Gathering Witness Statements
Gathering eyewitness accounts is a vital step in building a strong case following a car accident. Your Kansas City car accident attorney will work diligently to identify and interview any potential witnesses to the collision. This essential information can provide valuable insights into how the accident occurred and who may be liable.
When gathering witness statements, your attorney will:
- Locate and interview witnesses as soon as possible before memories fade or they become challenging to track down.
- Obtain detailed accounts of what the witnesses saw, including the sequence of events, the actions of the drivers, and any other relevant details.
- Document the witnesses’ contact information, such as their names, addresses, and phone numbers, in case their testimony is needed at a later stage.
Analyzing Police Reports
Analyzing the police report is another essential step in building your case. Your Kansas City car accident attorney will carefully review the report to gather critical information about the accident, including the date, time, location, weather conditions, and the responding officers’ observations.
They’ll examine the diagrams and witness statements to better understand how the collision occurred. The police report also contains details about any injuries sustained, the extent of vehicle damage, and whether citations were issued.
Your attorney will use this information to determine the contributing factors and assess liability. They may even identify discrepancies or inconsistencies that could strengthen your claim. Moreover, the police report can serve as official documentation, carrying weight in insurance negotiations and legal proceedings.
Your attorney will leverage this report, along with other evidence, to build a compelling case and maximize your chances of recovering the compensation you deserve.
Reviewing Medical Records
Your Kansas City car accident attorney will also carefully review your medical records. This is a pivotal step in building a strong case and ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve.
The review of your medical records will typically involve the following:
- Examining the documentation of your injuries and treatment: Your attorney will meticulously analyze the details of your medical diagnoses, treatment plans, and progress reports to fully understand the extent of your injuries and the corresponding care you received.
- Verifying the causal relationship between the accident and your injuries: Your attorney will assess whether the injuries documented in your medical records can be directly attributed to the car accident, which is essential for establishing liability.
- Determining the long-term impact of your injuries: By reviewing your medical records, your attorney can evaluate the potential for ongoing treatment, rehabilitation, and any permanent impairments, which will be critical in calculating the appropriate compensation.
Reconstructing the Accident
To reconstruct the accident, your Kansas City car accident attorney will work closely with accident reconstruction experts. They’ll examine physical evidence at the scene, like skid marks and vehicle damage, to determine the speeds and movements of the vehicles involved.
Your attorney may also request surveillance footage or eyewitness statements to piece together a detailed timeline of events. By analyzing this data, the reconstruction team can often identify the primary cause of the accident, whether it was distracted driving, speeding, or some other factor.
This information is essential for establishing liability and building a strong case for your compensation. Your attorney will use the accident reconstruction to demonstrate how the other driver’s negligence led to your injuries, strengthening your claim and increasing your chances of a favorable settlement or verdict.
Determining Liability
Determining liability is a critical step in any car accident case. Your Kansas City car accident attorney will closely examine the details of the collision to identify who bears legal responsibility. This typically involves analyzing the police report, eyewitness accounts, and physical evidence at the scene.
Your attorney will consider several key factors when determining liability:
- Traffic laws and regulations: Were any traffic laws broken by the drivers involved?
- Driver negligence: Did one or more drivers fail to exercise reasonable care behind the wheel?
- Road and weather conditions: Did environmental factors like poor visibility or slick roads contribute to the accident?
Conclusion
When a Kansas City car accident attorney investigates your case, they’ll leave no stone unturned. In fact, did you know that over 1 million people are injured in car accidents each year in the United States? With their thorough approach, your attorney will fight to guarantee you receive the compensation you deserve and get back on the road to recovery.
Dariel Campbell is currently an English instructor at a university. She has experience in teaching and assessing English tests including TOEFL, IELTS, BULATS, FCE, CAE, and PTEG. With over a decade of teaching expertise, Dariel Campbell utilizes his knowledge to develop English lessons for her audience on English Overview.