The car accident attorneys of the Ginarte law firm work to help car accident victims in New York and New Jersey obtain the compensation they are due after serious car accidents. We do this by thoroughly investigating accidents to document the personal injuries and other losses our clients have suffered and to compile evidence that proves the liability of at-fault drivers and others responsible for the accident.
Each car accident case is different, and the investigation required of each differs as well. But retaining a qualified New York or New Jersey car accident lawyer as soon as possible after a collision is the best way to ensure your car crash investigation results in you being paid the maximum compensation available.
10 Steps to Documenting Car Crash Losses
Our objective in a car crash investigation is to compile evidence that will enable us to persuade an insurance company or a jury to provide you the compensation you deserve for your injuries and other losses. The investigative work we do for you will be dictated by the needs of your car accident claim. In general, a car crash investigation may include:
- Reviewing the police report. If police responded to your car crash, their report will provide the basic facts of the accident and identify the drivers involved. It is the best starting point for a car crash investigation, but it’s important to remember that the police do not decide who is financially responsible for an accident. You should obtain the police report for your accident as soon as possible.
- Examining vehicle damage. The cars damaged in a collision are primary evidence in a car accident claim, and it helps to have an attorney collect this evidence as soon as possible after a crash. In addition to documenting the vehicles’ physical damage and its costs, a car may contain an electronic data recorder (EDR), which should be accessed. An EDR contains downloadable information about the vehicle’s speed, braking, steering and other operations just before a collision. This work must be done before a wrecked car is repaired, junked or otherwise tampered with.
- Investigating the accident scene. From skid marks and crash debris, to road or traffic conditions that may have contributed to the accident, information at the accident scene can be extremely helpful to your claim. This evidence disappears quickly, so it good to hire a car accident attorney quickly after an accident.
- Interviewing witnesses. As part of a car crash investigation, your attorneys may obtain statements from the other drivers, passengers from each vehicle and bystanders who witnessed the accident. Again, it is best to engage a lawyer who will act quickly to interview witnesses before their memories fade.
- Investigating the other drivers. The other drivers may have been charged with a traffic offense as a result of the accident. But additional evidence from cellphone records, work or school attendance records, credit and debit card receipts, etc., may help explain the car crash. Time-stamped records of cellphone use might indicate distracted driving at the time of an accident, for instance. Records that show a driver worked an overnight shift then went to class for several hours may provide evidence that your crash was caused by a drowsy driver.
- Reconstructing the car accident. When what happened in an accident is not clear, we may consult forensic engineers who reconstruct car accidents. These specialists use sophisticated analytical principles to determine how and why a complex car accident occurred. Then they provide us with written reports of their findings and, if necessary, can explain the accident in clear language as expert witnesses testifying before a jury.
- Identifying additional liability. In some cases, individuals or organizations other that the other drivers involved contributed to a car accident and may be held accountable. A third-party claim could seek additional compensation from the maker of a faulty automotive part, the local government that was negligent about road maintenance, the owner of a bar that served alcohol to an underage or intoxicated driver, or others.
- Analyzing medical records. Much of the compensation sought in a car accident claim is for medical expenses. For a serious injury, a claim requires more work than simply reviewing the medical bills. We frequently have medical professionals and vocational rehabilitation consultants analyze your records to develop an understanding of the victims’ anticipated recovery and any lingering injuries or disabilities they are likely to suffer.
- Calculating medical costs. Once we understand the full extent of your injuries, we can develop a forward-looking accounting of your medical expenses. In addition to what you have already paid, your claim should seek compensation for future costs if your injuries are degenerative or have left you disabled. For significantly disabled clients, we work with consultants to develop a detailed life-care plan.
- Calculating additional losses. Beyond medical expenses, a serious car accident causes property damage, lost income, and pain and suffering. A claim should document not only the cost to repair or replace a damaged vehicle, but any of your transportation costs while without a vehicle. Income losses, like medical expenses, must be calculated with the future in mind if a car crash victim has suffered diminished earning capacity because of the injuries.
A proper investigation of your car crash will result in evidence that demonstrates the full extent of your losses and the total compensation you deserve. We conduct car accident investigations that enable us to negotiate from a position of strength when we meet with insurers or when we present a persuasive case before a jury if that is necessary.
Let Our Experienced Car Accident Lawyers Investigate Your Losses
The best way to obtain the compensation you deserve after a serious car accident is to thoroughly document the crash, your injuries and the pain, suffering and financial costs you have endured. The car accident attorneys of Ginarte Gonzalez Winograd L.L.P., prepare solid cases before we sit down to negotiate settlements or argue for your right to full and fair compensation in court.