Collecting Evidence

Contact any witnesses you are aware of as soon as possible and ask them to write down what they saw. Remember they are doing you a big favour. DO NOT send copies of these or any witness statement of your own to the other side at this stage!! They may tailor their reply to fit with what is being said.

Keep details of all losses/expenditure arising, along with copy receipts etc... where possible.The golden rule is that where evidence is available in writing you should try and obtain/produce it. You saying you had a Rolex that was broken int he accident and was worth £2,500 may not be believed.  You producing photos of the broken Rolex to the other side with a copy of the original purchase receipt and a jeweller's letter saying it is beyond repair will.

Make a list of the items that you wish to claim, indicating how much you are claiming. Send a copy to the other side with copies of your documents in support (remember - not witness statements at this stage). Once you have sent this they have 21 days to make offers, so tell them you intend to issue proceedings if no suitable offers have been received by that time.

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