Managing Partner
Construction site accidents are dangerous—and extremely common. Therefore, if you work in the construction industry, it’s important to know what steps to take following an accident. One important step to take after a construction site accident is gathering evidence. Evidence is often the key to a successful construction site accident claim. In this article, we discuss what evidence to gather after a construction site accident.
Why is Evidence Important?
As noted above, evidence can make or break your construction accident case. Evidence helps prove liability and can establish the extent and nature of your injuries and damages. Therefore, it is important to begin gathering evidence as soon as possible following a construction accident.
Types of Evidence to Gather
Videos and Photos
Key pieces of evidence to gather after a construction site accident are videos and photos. After an accident, you should take pictures and videos of the scene of the accident, including any equipment involved, hazardous conditions, and visible injuries.
Incident Reports
Following a construction site accident, you should file an incident report with your employer. Make sure that you obtain a copy of this report. The report should include details of your accident, including time, location, date, witness names, and the type of injury you sustained. In addition to maintaining a copy of the incident report, you should preserve all documentation related to the incident, including medical bills, medical records, and insurance correspondence.
Witness Statements
Statements from witnesses are powerful evidence in a construction accident lawsuit. Therefore, you should obtain statements and contact information from all witnesses to your construction accident.
Reports and Expert Opinions
Following a construction accident in New York, it’s sometimes necessary to consult with expert witnesses. Experts, such as safety specialists or engineers, can offer professional insights into what caused your accident and any safety violations or negligence that may have occurred. Your construction accident attorney will advise you of whether your case may benefit from expert witnesses.
Safety Records and Regulations
Construction sites must comply with all applicable safety laws, regulations, and guidelines. Therefore, following a construction accident, it can be useful to gather copies of relevant construction laws and regulations, including Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, to demonstrate which safety violations contributed to your accident. In addition, you should gather your worksite’s safety inspection records, records of previous accidents, and maintenance logs. After you contact an attorney for assistance, he or she will assist you in this area.
Contact Our Long Island Construction Accident Attorney
If you have been injured in a construction accident in Long Island, New York, you should contact the experienced construction accident attorneys of Dell & Dean, PLLC, for assistance. When you come to us for help with your construction accident case, we will examine the circumstances surrounding the accident, plan a case strategy, and aggressively seek compensation on your behalf. Please contact us to arrange a consultation with a Long Island construction accident attorney.
Dell & Dean, PLLC, represents clients throughout Nassau County, Suffolk County, and Garden City on Long Island, as well as the boroughs of New York: Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Manhattan, and the Bronx.
