Car accidents are traumatic experiences. Even a minor accident can scare you to death. Car accidents are something that should be rare but are not. They are very common in the US.
The primary reason for most car accidents is negligence. A person not following the standard of care a reasonable person would is called negligence. For example, if a driver is operating their vehicle under the influence of alcohol, you can say that the person is negligent.
Due to the negligent behavior of a random person, the victim will sustain many losses. The victim can recover these losses by hiring a car accident lawyer.
The lawyer will file a claim and guide them throughout the process.
Burden of Proof in a Car Accident Case
In personal injury cases, the victim bears the burden of proof. The victim must prove the following four elements, which are known as elements of personal injury law:
- Duty of care
- Breach of duty of care
- Causation
- Damages
To prove these elements, the victim must provide relevant evidence.
Evidence in a Car Accident Case
The following evidence is crucial in a car accident case:
- Photos and videos
- Police report
- Medical bills
- Witness statements
Photos and Videos
A picture speaks 1,000 words. The statement is very true when it comes to car accident cases. Photos and videos are great pieces of evidence that can help your case to a great extent.
You need to take photos of the following:
- The accident scene
- Damage to your car
- Skid marks
- Traffic signs
- Your injuries
The above-mentioned evidence can help in the following ways:
Photos Can Prove Your Injuries
The fourth and final element of personal injury law is damages. You must have sustained losses and injuries to file a claim.
With photos of your injuries, you can prove that you have sustained damages due to the accident. If you are able to, try taking pictures of the injury immediately after the accident. This way, you can prove that the injuries you sustained were due to the accident and did not preexist.
Help in Proving Property Damage and Determining Liability
Pictures of your damaged car can help prove property damage. Even the location of the impact can help lawyers determine fault.
These photos can help accident reconstructionists to a great extent. When accident reconstructionists look at the photos and determine the cause of the accident, the jury will believe them.
Expert witnesses are specialists in a certain field, so they have a powerful voice. With photos, you can enable the expert witness to help you.
Documentation of the Scene
It is important to document the accident scene. If you don’t, it will be easier for the insurance company to challenge your claim.
Insurance adjusters will be on the lookout to find any reason to reduce or reject your claim. The lack of documentation can be the perfect reason for rejecting your claim.
Other Things You Need to Do
You can do the following things to strengthen your car accident case:
- Collect and document your medical bills. Medical bills can prove that you have sustained injuries and financial losses.
- Collect the bills you incur to fix your car. These bills can also aid in proving your financial losses.
- If you are able to, speak with witnesses and get their contact information. Also, get their statements regarding the accident.
Final Thoughts
The best thing you can do after an accident is to hire a lawyer. An experienced car accident lawyer can help you prove the elements of personal injury law and secure fair compensation for your losses.
Taking photos and videos of the accident scene, injuries, and damage to your property can make your lawyer’s job easier. So take lots and lots of pictures.
