If you hope to recover compensation following your car accident, then you’re going to have to present evidence that demonstrates that someone else was at fault for the wreck, and thus your injuries. Sounds easy, right? Well, the truth of the matter is that proving fault and liability can be trickier than you expect, especially when the other driver tries to blame you for the crash.
Tips for proving liability
To maximize your ability to prove fault, you may want to consider doing each of the following:
- Take photographs: Pictures of the accident can help you demonstrate how the accident was caused and who was at fault. Therefore, make sure you take pictures of anything and everything that could be helpful, including the resting position of the vehicles, the damage caused to the vehicles, tire marks and road conditions. If you’re too injured, then ask someone else to take pictures for you.
- Call the police: A police investigation and its results can be helpful to your personal injury claim, too. The resulting police report will have the other driver’s statements, a narration of how the accident occurred, and the police officer’s opinion as to who caused the wreck.
- Talk to witnesses: Talk to as many witnesses as you can before they leave the scene of the accident, making sure that you gather their contact information so that you can contact them later if you need to. These individuals, who tend to be neutral, can carry a lot of weight when testifying in court.
- Utilize expert witnesses: Whether you’re trying to prove that your injuries are related to your accident or that the other driver is to blame for the wreck, you might want to seek out expert witnesses who can help support your claim. These witnesses are often valuable in presenting your case during settlement negotiations and litigating in open court, which can maximize your chances of succeeding on your claim.
- Be careful of what you say: Part of proving fault is avoiding taking the blame. If you start apologizing after your accident or you say that you shouldn’t have done something, then your statements will probably be used against you to demonstrate that you’re to blame for the accident. You don’t want that to happen. Therefore, be careful with what you say after your car crash.
- Consider an accident reconstruction: If it’s unclear who is at fault for your accident, especially when multiple vehicles are involved, you might want to think about having an accident reconstruction conducted. This investigation is carried out by an expert who knows how to apply the law of physic to the physical evidence at hand. This can give you a real picture of how the accident was caused and who is to blame. The individual who conducts the reconstruction can be a powerful witness, and his or her final report can carry a lot of weight in court.
Building the strong case that you deserve
The damage that has been caused to you by your accident can be extensive, touching nearly every aspect of your life. A personal injury claim may be able to provide you with the relief that you need, but you have to know how to diligently work to build the persuasive legal arguments that you need to succeed. Fortunately, experienced legal professionals who are well-versed in this area of the law stand ready to help you fight for the outcome that you deserve.