Evidence is one of the most important aspects of the personal injury compensation claims process, as it can make the difference between a successful and unsuccessful outcome. After all, the right documentation can demonstrate how an accident happened and who was at fault for the injury. So, what evidence is needed for a personal injury claim? Typically, the evidence required includes medical records, eyewitness contact details, photographs, and video footage.
Here at Accident Claims, our solicitors have helped clients nationwide with the vital task of obtaining proof. They have seen firsthand that gathering evidence can seem daunting, especially for those still recovering from an injury or facing the strain of financial loss. If you decide to claim with one of them, you’ll get the support you deserve so you can stay focused on what matters: your health and future.
You can find out how to claim and get answers to frequently asked questions about evidence gathering by contacting our friendly team:
- Call 0800 073 8801
- Contact us online
- Message our live chat
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- What Evidence Is Needed For A Personal Injury Claim?
- Why Evidence For A Personal Injury Claim Is Important
- Will You Be Responsible For Gathering The Evidence?
- What If You Cannot Obtain Some Of The Evidence?
- Get Help From Accident Claims’ Solicitors
- Learn More
What Evidence Is Needed For A Personal Injury Claim?
The evidence needed for a personal injury claim typically includes medical records, financial documents (e.g., payslips), copies of relevant correspondence, and the contact details of any eyewitnesses. Below, we’ll discuss these and other commonly used forms of evidence in more detail.
Photos And Videos
Photographs and videos can provide a visual record of how the accident occurred, highlight any contributing factors (such as broken steps after a fall on stairs), and document visible injuries. Below, we’ll discuss several examples of how you can use photos and videos to support your personal injury claim:
- Photographs: Ensure your photos are taken from different angles when documenting the accident scene, your injury and its progression, or property damage. If your injury was caused by a pothole or pavement accident, use a ruler or another measuring tool to illustrate the dimensions of the defect.
- Dashcam or bodycam recordings: Often used as evidence in road traffic accident claims involving cars, motorbikes, and bicycles, as they can capture a collision as it happened.
- CCTV footage: Many businesses use security cameras, and CCTV is often present along streets and roads. You have a right to request CCTV footage of yourself.
Accident Reports
An accident report can provide an official account of what happened, including details of when the incident occurred, how you were injured, and who was involved. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, your injury might be recorded by an:
- Accident book: Many workplaces are required to have an accident book to record incidents involving employees. Supermarkets and other public places may also keep a logbook to record injuries to customers or visitors.
- Police report: If you are injured on the road, the police may have attended the scene and documented the accident in a report.
- Local council: Councils and other local authorities are often responsible for maintaining pavements, highways, parks, and other public spaces. In such cases, you can report your accident to the council in writing, online, or by phone.
Medical Records
Getting treatment is an essential part of the healing process, and your medical records can also strengthen your personal injury claim. In particular, they can provide professional insight into the extent of your injuries, their impact on daily life, and your prospects for recovery.
This medical evidence can comprise:
- GP records, such as details of referrals and diagnoses
- Hospital notes
- Copies of imaging scans, including MRIs and X-rays
- Test results
- Prescription packaging or labels
Witness Statements
Eyewitness testimony can strengthen a claim by providing a clear timeline of events, identifying who was at fault, and detailing the injuries sustained. This can support a claimant’s version of events and their overall account.
In the immediate aftermath of an accident, try to collect the contact details of anyone who may have witnessed the incident (if possible). This information can be used by your solicitor to interview them and gather supportive testimony for your case. Anyone can be a witness, including:
- Colleagues
- Bystanders, such as pedestrians, retail staff, and customers
- Other road users
- Family
- Friends
It is important to note that you cannot collect your own witness statements; only a legal professional can do this.
Invoices And Receipts
Having invoices and receipts can be highly beneficial if you wish to pursue compensation for the out-of-pocket costs you incurred due to your injury. That is because you will need to provide evidence of your losses in order to claim for them under a heading known as special damages.
Invoices and receipts can document a variety of out-of-pocket costs, including:
- Travel to medical appointments by bus, train, or taxi
- Prescriptions for medications
- Accessibility improvements made to your home or vehicle
- Therapy sessions and other mental health services
- Specialist equipment like wheelchairs
- Day-to-day assistance from loved ones or professional carers
Other Financial Losses
Payslips, bank statements, and tax returns can also be used to document various other financial losses arising from your injury, such as current and future earnings. This evidence can be used when claiming special damages for:
- Lost income
- Pension contributions
- Missed bonuses
- Reduced earning potential
Miscellaneous Evidence
There are many other documents which can be useful when building a strong case for personal injury compensation, especially if you keep a symptoms diary and copies of correspondence (texts, letters, emails) about the incident. Diaries, in particular, can provide a detailed account of your mental well-being, pain levels, and how your daily life is affected.
Additionally, if you were injured in a road traffic accident, you should obtain the other driver’s contact information, registration, and insurance details.
To discuss what evidence may be needed for you to have a successful personal injury claim, please have a chat with our team today. They’ll be happy to answer your questions and can also provide a free initial consultation to see if you can claim compensation with one of our experienced solicitors.
Why Evidence For A Personal Injury Claim Is Important
Evidence is important for a personal injury claim because it can establish the liability of a third party for the harm you suffered and be an influential factor in calculating compensation. For example, say you suffer a serious shoulder injury slipping on a wet floor at a shopping centre. In this instance, eyewitness contact details and CCTV footage could be used to prove third-party fault by showing that no wet floor signs were displayed at the time of the injury. Additionally, your medical evidence can help with showing the extent of your injury and what treatments you have needed, as these can also influence your compensation figure.
To discuss the importance of evidence in more detail, please feel free to chat with one of our advisors.
Will You Be Responsible For Gathering The Evidence?
You will be responsible for gathering the evidence initially, such as eyewitness contact details directly from the accident scene, but connecting with a solicitor can help you obtain further documentation of what happened to you. Our solicitors, in particular, pay close attention to important details and draw on their extensive experience to obtain eyewitness statements and other sources of evidence for clients.
You can find out more about the support our solicitors offer by contacting our advisory team.
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What If You Cannot Obtain Some Of The Evidence?
Even if you cannot obtain some of the evidence, you may still be able to pursue compensation, and connecting with a solicitor could help to strengthen your personal injury case further. If certain evidence is unavailable to you, a solicitor could explore alternative avenues and gather this proof on your behalf.
For example, say you had an accident at work, but none of your colleagues witnessed what happened. In this scenario, your solicitor could offset the absence of supportive testimony by obtaining CCTV footage from your workplace or gathering documentation showing how your employer was negligent.
You can learn more about your options and how one of our solicitors can help you by chatting with an advisor.
Get Help From Accident Claims’ Solicitors
With help from one of Accident Claims’ solicitors, you can benefit from comprehensive support that draws on years of experience and training. Our solicitors recognise that no claim is alike, all the more so when it comes to the evidence needed to build a strong narrative for compensation. That is why they take the time to assess each case, understand what evidence will be required, and set out to obtain this proof on behalf of clients.
Our solicitors offer a range of services alongside their expert gathering of evidence, and can:
- Arrange access to various rehabilitation specialists to aid your recovery
- Handle all communications related to your case
- Provide clear and accessible guidance on the claims process
- Deliver regular updates that keep you in control of your claim
- Organise an independent medical assessment as further evidence
Our No Win No Fee solicitors offer their services under the terms of a Conditional Fee Agreement, which ensures clients can expect:
- No fees for a solicitor’s services at the start of the claims process
- No service fees as the claim moves forward
- No service fees in the event that a claim is unsuccessful
Should you win, you’ll pay your solicitor a legally limited percentage of your personal injury compensation, known as a success fee. This percentage is limited by The Conditional Fee Agreements Order 2013, which keeps the success fee small and ensures you keep the largest share for yourself.
Make A No Win No Fee Claim
If you’re ready to find out if you can make a No Win No Fee compensation claim with the expert assistance of one of our solicitors, please reach out today:
- Call 0800 073 8801
- Contact us online
- Message our live chat
Learn More
You can learn more about the personal injury claims process by reading our guides on:
- How compensation payouts are calculated.
- The steps involved in requesting CCTV accident footage.
- Learn about personal injury compensation.
External resources:
- Guidance from the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) on how to complain.
- Find out when to ring 999 in this NHS overview.
- Police information on road traffic collisions.
If you’d like further guidance on the evidence needed for a personal injury claim, please don’t hesitate to speak with one of our helpful advisors today.
