Authoritative evidence forms the foundation of any successful Alabama car accident claim. Without proof of who caused the crash and the extent of your losses, you cannot hold the at-fault party accountable and recover the money you need.
But how do you know what evidence to collect and how to find it?
Types of Evidence That Can Support Your Car Accident Claim
Proving fault in a car accident claim involves collecting and analyzing multiple types of evidence. Some examples of the kinds of evidence that could support your personal injury claim include:
Photos and Videos: Visual Proof from the Scene
While your lawyer can collect most of the evidence for your car accident claim, you can bolster your claim by taking photos and videos at the crash scene. For example, it is smart to take pictures of the damage to your car, the relative position of both vehicles after the collision, any debris left at the scene, any hazards that may have contributed to the crash, and any skid marks on the road.
Car accident lawyers and trained accident reconstruction specialists can review accident scene photos and videos to determine things like the angle of impact, the speed of both vehicles when the crash happened, and when or if the drivers applied the brakes before impact.
Witness Statements and Their Impact on Your Case
Eyewitness statements after a car wreck can bolster your claim by providing a neutral perspective on the collision and who may have caused it.
For instance, if an eyewitness saw a driver following closely behind you or weaving through traffic, their account could help you counter any claims by the other driver that you caused the crash.
Because eyewitness testimony is so valuable in car accident claims, collecting potential witnesses’ names and contact information is crucial after a collision. Look around for anyone who may have seen the crash once you call 911 and report the accident.
Information from Police Reports
Many insurance companies require police reports when you file a car accident claim because they provide a baseline account of the collision, information about the drivers involved, and the extent of the vehicle damage and car accident-related injuries.
Police reports for car accidents can support your car accident lawsuit in other ways, too. For instance, if the investigating officer cited the other driver for speeding or arrested them on suspicion of drunk driving, the report will likely contain that information, which you can use to help prove that the other driver acted negligently and owes you compensation.
Vehicle Damage and Other Physical Evidence
Vehicle damage reports and similar evidence can help you and your lawyer prove who caused the auto accident. Significant damage to the rear of your car, for instance, may suggest that the driver who hit you was following too closely or was speeding and did not have time to apply the brakes before impact.
Additionally, vehicle damage reports can help you prove the accident’s financial effects. These reports and vehicle repair estimates can give your team proof of how much it will cost to fix your car or demonstrate that your vehicle is beyond repair.
Medical Records and Injury Documentation
Proving who caused a car accident is just one element of an Alabama car accident claim. You must also demonstrate the extent of your injuries and how they affect your life. Your medical records are vital in this regard.
Medical records show the types of injuries you sustained, how they limit your activities and ability to work, and the future medical treatments you may need. If you need ongoing care after a crash, your medical records can also help you make the case for compensation for such long-term expenses.
Expert Accident Reconstruction
Car accidents can be complicated, especially if they involve more than two vehicles. In some complex cases, determining what happened and who caused the crash often requires testimony from expert accident reconstruction specialists.
These specialists can use information like crash scene photos, black box data, vehicle damage, the police crash report, skid mark analysis, and other evidence to recreate what happened in precise detail. They might also use advanced computer modeling software to visually represent the crash, which can help insurance companies or the courts see what happened to determine who is responsible.
How Black Box Data Can Help Prove Fault
Many commercial vehicles and some passenger cars are equipped with event data recorders, also known as black boxes, which collect data related to a collision. Black boxes record information like a vehicle’s speed, engine performance, and steering and braking inputs in the moments leading up to a crash.
Personal injury lawyers and crash analysis experts can examine digital evidence to determine how the crash happened. For example, the vehicle’s speed might indicate whether a driver was speeding, or the data might show that the at-fault driver never applied the brakes. That could be evidence that they were distracted or impaired.
Using Surveillance Footage or Dashcam Videos in a Car Accident Case
Like eyewitness testimony, surveillance videos can provide an unbiased perspective on a crash and shed light on who was responsible for it. For example, suppose a distracted driver hits you but says they were following the law. Surveillance footage might show them looking at their phone before the collision, which can help you prove that the other driver was negligent and owes you compensation.
Get Help from Our Alabama Car Accident Lawyers Now
You should not have to worry about investigating a crash and collecting evidence while trying to heal. The Alabama car accident lawyers at Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., are ready to handle the crash investigation while you rebuild your life.
Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., has represented individuals injured in car crashes for nearly 60 years and recovered millions of dollars on their behalf. Let us handle the accident investigation and collect the necessary car accident evidence while you focus on healing. You will not owe us any fees unless you win your case.
Call us today or complete our contact form for a free case review from a car accident attorney at our law firm.
