As any Michigan personal injury law firm can attest, the most indispensable part of your personal injury claim is the evidence you’re able to bring. That’s why we work so hard to help you uncover and compile the evidence you need, right from the outset of your case.
The Role of Evidence in Winning Personal Injury Claims in Michigan
What Evidence Does
To build a winning personal injury case, the plaintiff – that’s you, the injured party – must prove specific elements against the defendant – the negligent party responsible for your injury. It is evidence that proves each of these elements and transforms what would otherwise be nothing but allegations into established facts.
Types of Evidence
Medical records are perhaps the single most critical piece of evidence in any personal injury claim, as they document the nature and extent of a plaintiff’s injuries and any ongoing medical needs. Eyewitness accounts of the accident are also important and can shed light on how the incident occurred, who was at fault, and what happened immediately before and after.
Visual documentation of the accident scene, any vehicles involved, any property damage, and the plaintiff’s visible injuries also often offers a compelling perspective that is hard for a defendant to deny. Police reports, incident logs, and other official reports generated in response to an accident are also a part of the evidence record. In complex cases, expert witnesses may also be called. Their testimony helps the judge or jury understand some of the more technical concepts, the long-term implications of injuries, and the economic losses suffered by the plaintiff.
Contact a Michigan Personal Injury Law Firm
The mere existence of evidence is not enough; a successful legal strategy depends on making an effective presentation of that evidence. Attorneys who are skilled in personal injury litigation know how to craft a narrative that resonates emotionally and logically with the judge or jury. When you come to us, our job is to help you organize the evidence you’ve already uncovered in a chronological, impactful manner, and use compelling visuals and expert testimony to make complex information easily understandable.
We can also help you uncover evidence you might have missed, and if you were unable to gather evidence at the accident scene due to severe injuries, we can get to work on that as soon as you contact us.
Using the Evidence
Evidence can be a very persuasive tool in settlement negotiations. When the defendant’s liability is clearly backed by substantial evidence, insurance companies are more likely to agree to a fair settlement, meaning you can skip the time and expense of a trial. In cases that proceed to trial, evidence allows your attorney to paint a vivid, substantiated picture of the incident, its consequences, and the defendant’s culpability. Without sufficient evidence, the plaintiff’s case will crumble.
If you’ve been injured, contact Jay Trucks & Associates, PC in Clare, MI and serving Grand Rapids, Flint, Lansing, Saginaw, Traverse City, Kalamazoo, and Detroit. Let’s talk through your case, and we can get started putting the evidence to work for you.
