Posted on Wednesday, April 20th, 2016 at 2:16 am
If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, you already know that you have financial damages such as lost wages, property damage, and medical expenses. You also have emotional damages from the stress, anxiety, physical pain, and mental anguish from dealing with the car accident claim and your physical injuries. In order for you to receive compensation from the other driver, you must have evidence to prove the other driver caused the accident and prove your damages from the accident.
Key Pieces of Evidence Used in a Car Accident Claim
Below are examples of evidence we use to prove fault and damages in a California car accident claim.
- Police Reports – Even though the information in the police report is not admissible as evidence at trial, the police report provides valuable information such as the date and time of the accident, the location, the weather conditions, the other driver’s information, insurance information, and the owner’s information. It also provides an explanation of how the accident happened according to the officer’s investigation at the accident scene.
- Medical Records – In order to prove damages, you must substantiate your physical injuries. Medical records are an important piece of evidence in a car accident claim. It is extremely important that you seek medical attention and that you follow the advice of your doctors.
- Property Damage – The physical damage to you vehicle is another form of evidence used in your car accident claim. The physical damage to your vehicle can be used to substantiate the severity of your injuries and reveal vital information that can prove liability on the part of the other driver.
- Income and Work History Records – Lost wages and loss of earning capacity are damages that you can receive compensation for in a car accident claim. Your payroll records and work history will be used to prove how much you have lost and the future loss of income if you are unable to return to work.
- Eyewitness Testimony – Eyewitness testimony can be a powerful piece of evidence in a car accident claim. Eyewitness testimony is used to establish and prove fault on the part of the other driver. This type of testimony is considered “independent” testimony because the person is not a party to the action. The eyewitness was not in the accident; therefore, many jurors consider the testimony as unbiased.
- Expert Testimony – In some car accident cases, expert testimony is needed to establish fault, prove medical damages, or prove financial damages. For example, if fault is in question, we may use an accident reconstructionist to reconstruct the accident to explain to the jury how the accident happened in order to place fault on the other driver.
Because each car accident case is different, your case may have additional evidence. You need an experienced car accident claim attorney who understands the importance of performing a comprehensive accident investigation to identify and preserve the evidence you need to prove your case and receive compensation for your losses, damages, and injuries.
Contact Experienced Car Accident Claim Attorneys for Free Legal Advice
Contact Tiemann Law Firm for a free consultation with one of our Sacramento personal injury attorneys. Call (916) 999-9000 or chat with a representative online today.
