Experiencing a personal injury can change your way of life, bringing along things like physical discomfort, emotional turmoil, and financial burdens. The type of injury can vary widely and be as severe if one gets in a car wreck, a slip and fall, a workplace incident, or an error in medical judgment (or execution, as in the case of medical malpractice). No matter how you got hurt, or how long it takes you to recover (if you even do), it can feel like life is on hold. The first step toward moving on is establishing how and why what happened to you happened. In other words, collecting evidence is the key to determining the cause of the incident. Pickford Law in Memphis can be an invaluable ally in this process.
Establishing Liability
One of the main reasons for collecting evidence is to set up fault. Tennessee has a modified comparative fault system. That means if a victim is found even slightly to be at fault, their recovery is reduced by the amount they are at fault. If they are 51% at fault or more, they get nothing. This is why you need evidence to show the other party is more than half responsible. The type of evidence can vary greatly depending on the type of accident that led to the injury. This can include car accidents, slip and falls, work-related incidents, medical malpractice, and many others.
 Supporting Negotiations and Legal Proceedings
The majority of personal injury cases are resolved by way of negotiations, with trial being an infrequent outcome. However, effective negotiation requires an impressive display of evidence. Faced with that, opposing attorneys and insurance adjusters are much more likely to put fair offers on the table.
Pickford Law in Memphis tells us that when a case goes to trial, the organization of evidence becomes even more crucial. Persuasive evidence in court can take many forms:
â—ŹÂ Â Â Â Witness testimony
â—ŹÂ Â Â Â Expert opinion (e.g., accident reconstruction specialists or medical professionals)
â—ŹÂ Â Â Â Surveillance footage
Preserving Evidence Immediately
Collecting evidence in the wake of a personal injury is an urgent matter. Certain kinds of evidence (like the skid marks left by a car at an accident scene or the surveillance footage from a nearby business) might not last long. And witnesses? Their memories of the event will likely fade or become blurred over time. You need to get their account documented as quickly as possible following the incident. If you’re involved in any type of personal injury situation, you need to act quickly to document everything that happened. You also need to make sure you’ve got the contact info for anyone who might have seen what went down, and, if you’re injured in any way, get immediate medical attention.
Avoiding Legal Deadlines
Tennessee has a one-year personal injury claims statute of limitations. If you wait too long to gather the necessary evidence, you might not be able to sue within that time frame.
Your best bet is to hire a personal injury attorney in Memphis right after the incident to start the process rolling and keep it moving. They can help ensure that all relevant evidence and witnesses are available to make your case at trial, if necessary.
Let the Pickford Law in Memphis Help You with the Legal Tasks and Details Following Your Injury
It is vital to collect proof after a personal injury in Memphis if you want to establish whose fault it was, bolster your claim, and win a fair payout. You should go immediately to documenting the accident scene. Get witness statements that will hold up in court. You should keep meticulous medical and financial records that detail the ways your injury has affected your life. And while you are doing all of this, you should also seek legal guidance to ensure that you are not making any missteps that could endanger your claim.
