What Evidence Can Make or Break Your Illinois Personal Injury Case?

After a serious accident, many people realize that what happened and what they can prove are not always the same. Insurance companies rely on hard evidence, not just your story, to decide whether to pay a claim and for how much. That is why collecting and preserving the right proof can make or break your case. For more than 75 years, the attorneys at Brassfield & Krueger have helped injury victims build strong cases.

If you’re pursuing a personal injury claim in Illinois, we’ve found that the most influential pieces of evidence are:

• Photos and videos from the scene that show what happened and the extent of the damage.
• Medical records documenting your injuries, treatment, and recovery.
• Police reports detailing official findings about the accident.
• Witness statements that confirm what you experienced.
• Detailed personal and financial records showing how the injury has affected your daily life.

Each piece plays a different part in proving fault and the full impact of your injuries. Let’s take a closer look.

Are Photos and Videos Enough to Prove Fault in an Accident?

Photos and videos can offer powerful, time-stamped proof of what happened. This type of evidence can capture important details like skid marks, vehicle damage, lighting, weather conditions, and visible injuries. This visual proof often clearly shows how an incident occurred and helps determine liability. However, photos and videos work best when supported by other documentation, such as official reports and medical records, that establish context and add credibility to your claim.

How Important Are Medical Records in a Personal Injury Case?

Medical documentation directly connects your injuries to the accident. Consistent treatment, visits to medical providers, and following through on all recommended care strengthen your claim by showing the cause, severity, and long-term impact of your injuries. If you delay seeking medical attention, it can make it easier for insurance companies to argue that your injuries were not serious or were unrelated to the incident.

Do Police Reports Help My Injury Claim?

A police report can significantly help your claim because it provides an official, third-party account of the incident. These reports typically include diagrams of the scene, the officer’s observations, any citations issued, and contact information for witnesses. This information helps establish fault early in the process. While police reports are not always admissible in court, they are often critical for guiding insurance negotiations and shaping legal strategy.

Can Witness Statements Really Make a Difference in My Case?

A witness statement can absolutely make a difference by providing independent confirmation of your account. When the other party disputes fault, a consistent statement from a credible witness adds significant weight to your side of the story. Personal injury lawyers can track down and interview witnesses, even long after an incident, to preserve crucial testimony that supports clients’ cases.

What Kind of Documentation Should I Keep After an Accident?

You should keep everything related to your injuries and recovery. This documentation helps prove not just that you were hurt, but how deeply the incident has affected your daily life and financial stability. Important records include:

• Medical bills and receipts
• Wage statements showing missed work
• Communications with insurers
• A personal journal tracking your pain, emotional strain, and limitations

What Happens If I Don’t Have Enough Evidence for My Injury Case?

Even if you did not collect evidence right away, not all is lost. An experienced lawyer can often reconstruct events by using accident reconstructionists, obtaining surveillance footage through subpoenas, or accessing medical and phone records. However, time is a factor. The sooner you contact a lawyer, the more evidence can be preserved and gathered.

Let Brassfield & Krueger Build the Case That Proves What You Deserve

Strong evidence is the foundation of every successful injury case, and you should not have to build that foundation alone. Brassfield & Krueger has helped Illinois injury victims for over 75 years, turning scattered information into compelling, evidence-backed cases that get results. Our attorneys handle every aspect of the evidence process, from gathering reports and witness statements to organizing medical records and managing deadlines.

Schedule a free consultation today to have your case reviewed. We can help protect your rights and strengthen your claim.