Being involved in a car accident can be one of the most stressful and overwhelming events of your life. Beyond the immediate shock and injury, dealing with insurance companies and pursuing a claim can feel like navigating a complex maze. As Texas residents, understanding what evidence is truly crucial is the key to protecting your rights and securing the fair compensation you deserve.
The Immediate Scene: Your Foundation for the Claim
What you do in the moments following an accident forms the bedrock of your entire claim.
- Police Report: In Texas, if the accident involves injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000, law enforcement must file a crash report. This report is an essential piece of evidence. It documents the basics: time, location, involved parties, and often, the officer’s initial assessment of fault. Never leave the scene before the police have arrived and you have spoken with them.
- Photographs & Video: Your smartphone is a powerful tool. Take pictures and videos of everything:
- Damage to all vehicles.
- The accident scene from multiple angles (showing traffic signs, road conditions, and skid marks).
- Any visible injuries you or your passengers sustained.
- License plates and insurance cards of all parties.
- Witness Information: If anyone saw the accident, get their names and contact information. An objective third party's account can be invaluable in disputed liability cases.
Documenting Injuries and Treatment
Insurance companies look for objective proof that the accident caused your injuries and that your treatment was necessary.
- Medical Records: This is perhaps the most critical evidence. See a doctor immediately, even if you feel fine—some severe injuries, like whiplash or concussions, have delayed symptoms. Every visit, diagnosis, treatment plan, and bill creates a paper trail linking the accident directly to your financial and physical losses.
- Detailed Symptom Journal: Keep a diary detailing your pain levels, restricted activities, and how the injuries impact your daily life, work, and family. This humanizes your claim and proves the extent of your suffering.
Financial Losses: The Proof of Damages
You must be able to prove every dollar you claim in damages.
- Lost Wages Documentation: Provide pay stubs, W-2s, and a letter from your employer confirming the time missed from work due to your injuries and necessary recovery. If you are self-employed, tax returns and business records will be necessary.
- Property Damage Estimates: Obtain detailed repair estimates from reputable body shops. If your vehicle is totaled, you'll need documentation supporting its fair market value.
- Related Expenses: Keep receipts for everything: prescriptions, over-the-counter medication, crutches, transportation to medical appointments, and any services you had to pay for because you were unable to perform them (e.g., cleaning, childcare).
Don't Navigate This Maze Alone
The evidence required to build a strong Texas car accident claim can be extensive and complex. Dealing with aggressive insurance adjusters while recovering is a heavy burden.
If you are a Texas resident seeking fair compensation, let the experienced professionals at Paradowski Law take the lead. We understand the specific laws and evidence requirements of the Lone Star State and will fight tirelessly to protect your interests. Don't risk having crucial evidence overlooked or undervalued!
Call us today for a free consultation at (855) 524-2976 to discuss your claim and start building your case.