Accidents happen all the time, plain and simple. However, what is not simple is proving that something happened in the absence of substantial evidence. In severe accidents, the victim(s) will likely require immediate and long term medical attention, and take time off work to recover. The process to ensure that the victim receives their rightful compensation is anything but cut and dry. It takes a lot of time and evidence in order to make this happen. This is why a personal injury lawyer in Ottawa wants to make sure that you know the basics before pursuing any type of injury claim and/or benefits.
Common Personal Injury Cases
A personal injury lawyer in Ottawa can provide you with legal advice and aid whenever filing a personal injury claim. It does not matter whether the accident involved in a car, boat or watercraft, ATV, snowmobile, motorcycle or aircraft; what matters is that you have enough evidence to back up your case.
Many collisions result in the victim suffering from serious injuries such as: spinal injuries, brain injuries, orthopaedic injuries and others. The only way to receive compensation is if you are able to prove that someone else’s negligence caused the accident.
Evidence & Information Needed
Not only will the evidence prove the at-fault party was responsible, it will also prove the severity of your injuries and the pain and suffering you have experienced because of your injuries. Using a personal injury lawyer is a safe choice when it comes to putting together your case. They will know how to best handle the case as long as you provide the evidence needed.
Physical evidence, such as: photographs, witness statements, medical records, police reports/ incident reports and written narrative of the accident are all examples of what you should collect before you file a personal injury claim. You need to collect this physical evidence immediately after the accident, if you are able to. Take photographs of your injuries as well as the scene and get witness information as witness statements are strong evidence.
If you experience severe brain, orthopaedic or spinal injuries, make sure to show how this has impacted your day-to-day life. Are you suffering from constant headaches? Are you still able to care for yourself and others? Do you have the same motor skills and functions as before? Are you now in a wheel chair? All of these things drastically change your life and prove the severity of your injuries. Keep a dated journal to record your pain levels, financial worries, inability to care for your dependent family members, depression and anything else you are experiencing. Keep in mind that the defence will also be compiling evidence to discredit your pain and suffering, and can use your social media posts to do so.
If you do not have a lot of physical evidence remember that you can, to a degree, use circumstantial evidence to help draw to the conclusion of what happened.
Being involved in an accident is not only traumatic, but stressful. A personal injury lawyer in Ottawa will be able to make the process as straight forward as possible; however, you need to be able to back up your case with concrete evidence. Expecting to get a settlement without proof of what actually happened is going to be extremely challenging. Knowing what you might need for a personal injury claim from the onset gives you the best shot for a favourable outcome.
