In any case, the importance of immediate investigation can’t be overstated. Many times an early and effective investigation can be the difference in winning and losing a case. Different types of cases require different types of investigative approaches. Depending on the nature of the case, our seasoned team of investigators at Weinstein & Cohen look for, and document, every type of evidence needed to prepare a case.
In an automobile accident for example, there are a number of important evidentiary issues to examine. Physical evidence at the scene is always critical in building an effective case. Damage to vehicles, property and skid marks can all tell a story about how an accident happened. If an immediate investigation does not take place, there is risk that the skid marks disappear with time and damage is repaired to property and vehicles. Expert witlessness in accident reconstruction, more often than not, need the information gained from immediate investigation in order to reconstruct who is at fault.
Witness statements are also critical. If an investigative professional does not take statements shortly after an accident, the risk of critical facts being forgotten increases drastically. Furthermore, certain witnesses can be overlooked or never found, if an investigation does not take place quickly after an accident occurs.
Immediate investigation typically yields important photographs that can be extremely important in establishing fault in a case. Investigative professionals such as the team at Weinstein & Cohen are trained on exactly what to look for in order to show the severity of an accident in court. Without this kind of quality evidence, a case can be more difficult to prove.
If injuries occur because of a defective product, an immediate investigation is also vital in determining the reason why that injury occurred. There are too many examples and instances where critical documents are “lost” or records changed or machines altered. Obtaining immediate copies of records and performing a speedy investigation can alleviate many of these risks.
There is no risk to having a consultation as soon as possible after an injury occurs. At Weinstein & Cohen, there is no charge for an initial consultation, even if it is determined that there are no grounds for an actual case. However, if a consultation does not take place for weeks, months or even years after an accident, the case may be significantly harder to prove due to the lack of a proper investigation.