What Happens in a Personal Injury Investigation?

Accidents happen, and unfortunately, people sometimes sustain injuries through no fault of their own because of the negligence of others. When an unplanned event takes its toll on you physically, causing you pain and suffering in the immediate and possibly in the long-term, you need to know what happens in a personal injury investigation so that you can be prepared for the process and know what to expect.

Understanding a Personal Injury Investigation

To begin, a personal injury investigation should ideally be led by someone experienced in investigative techniques who possesses a thorough knowledge of the processes, procedures and environment in which the accident occurred. If your accident is the fault of someone else, e.g., a car accident, then the insurance provider will most likely provide an investigator. This individual will look for the root cause of the accident to determine to what extent either one or multiple parties are responsible for the accident

It is advisable that you work collaboratively with the investigator assigned to your case to ensure the smooth and professional handling of your case. When required to do so, provide any required statements and give a detailed account of what occurred at the scene of the accident.

To help prepare yourself for any deposition and/or statement that is required of you, you should document your account of events as soon as possible after it occurs so that your information is presented with clarity and specificity.
In addition, it is wise to draw a diagram that depicts the scene of the accident; this will only further support your statement of events.
Visual evidence is also an excellent method by which to validate your account of the accident. Hopefully, you were able to document the scene using the camera on your cell phone, and any video footage that you may have obtained is even more advantageous.
Any medical records and statements drafted by your doctor are also critical, as these will provide insight about your injury, the types of treatment that you will need and the cost affiliated with this care.
Finally, be certain that you obtain a copy of the police report as soon as it is available so that you will know exactly what is says and how the accident has been officially documented.

The Steps of the Investigation

In summary, the steps involved in a personal injury investigation typically include:

your report of the accident and your injury to the proper authorities, e.g., law enforcement officers and insurance agents;
the filing of a police report;
your doctor’s documentation of your injuries and the required treatment;
an examination of the accident scene, including the surrounding circumstances and events thereof;
a determination of causality;
a report of findings; and ultimately,
an assessment of appropriate compensation for damages incurred.

Getting Help

An experienced and qualified personal injury lawyer can guide you through each of the steps of a personal injury investigation. Whether helping you collect evidence or hiring expert witnesses, your lawyer can assist you in building a case that gets an insurance company or jury to see things your way.

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