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“UNCOVERING THE TRUTH”
by Contributor
(Jul. 23, 2020) — You were driving along, adhering to the rules of the road, running errands, meeting friends or heading to work, when suddenly a car crashed into you and sent you spinning. You’re injured, confused and angry. Yet the other driver claims you were to blame for the crash.
Your first thoughts are that of confusion and anger. How could they blame you for something you didn’t do? As frustrating and unjust as this situation is, sadly for many motorists it’s a cold reality. It’s usually at this point victims turn to personal injury lawyers. You’ll find a firm of personal injury lawyers here.
Uncovering the truth behind your car accident might not be easy, as you’re going to need to prove who was liable for the crash. Of course, your PI lawyer will talk through this with you, but thankfully, there are plenty of ways you can prove you weren’t at fault. We’ll examine some of these below.
Evidence from the scene
It’s easy to think that evidence is something reserved for criminal cases; however, it also plays an integral part in personal injury cases. Collecting evidence from the scene of the accident is vital in proving your innocence. Unfortunately, this kind of evidence needs to be gathered as soon as possible, as crash cleanups are often done quickly.
- Photographs of the positioning of the vehicles
- Photographs of the damage to both vehicles
- Photograph of any debris on the road
- Make notes of the weather conditions
- Photos of the road that could have caused the accident – e.g. potholes
Police reports
When the crash occurred, the police should have been called. When the police attend a crash site, they’ll create a report using the evidence and statements provided to determine who they think was at fault and what they believe happened. If you choose to pursue a personal injury case then obtaining a police report can give your claim substantial support.
- Remember, the police must be called after a crash. In some states, it’s a legal requirement, no matter how minor the crash may be. Never allow the other party to convince you into not calling the police.
Dashcam/video footage
Dashcams provide reliable and accurate recordings of the event. They can instantly prove that liability lies with the other party. Not only that, dashcam footage from other motorists, video footage from smartphones and even CCTV images from nearby properties and security cameras can also be used to prove liability in a collision.
Witness statements
After a crash, you need to speak with the other driver to exchange details. However, you should also speak with any other witnesses, pedestrians, motorists or cyclists etc. Their testimony could help prove your innocence and prove liability. Obtain the personal details of any witnesses and your lawyer will be able to contact them in due course.
Your next steps
If you’ve been in a crash where the liability is undetermined, or you know that the other driver was at fault, reach out to a personal injury lawyer today.
