The party who causes an accident is considered liable and should pay compensation to the crash victim. Yet, when someone does cause an accident, they’re not likely to admit it. Instead, evidence is needed for the victim to show who was at fault and why they’re owed compensation. There are numerous ways to prove liability in a car accident case, including the following.
1 Obtain Surveillance Videos
Surveillance videos are a great way to show exactly how an accident occurred, provided a clear view of the accident. Even if the view isn’t clear or shows the drivers before the accident, but not the accident itself, it’s possible the footage can help show liability. It is hard for many people to obtain the surveillance footage on their own, but a lawyer can help with this. For example, those in a car accident can speak with a lawyer, like those at mayfirm.com, to get help obtaining surveillance footage from nearby businesses.
2 Use Dash Cam Footage
Today, many drivers purchase and install dash cams to help protect them if they’re in an accident. Features vary, but some include the date and time stamps, the driver’s speed, other details. For example, the footage from the dash cam can provide a driver’s eye view of how the accident occurred, which can help show who is liable for the accident.
3 Inspect the Scene of the Accident
The scene of the accident can tell a lot about what happened. It might show what the weather was like, whether there were any marks on the road from a sudden stop or how the vehicles stopped after the crash. All of this can be used to reconstruct the accident and show how it happened. Some of the evidence obtained from the scene, like the position of the vehicles, will not be available hours or days after the accident. Photos or videos of the scene, however, make reconstruction possible.
4 Look at Damage to Vehicles
Professional mechanics can often look at the damage to the vehicle to determine how the accident happened or who may be at fault. Combined with any of the above, this evidence can help show liability and who may be responsible for the accident. Therefore, it is essential to photograph all damage, even if it seems minor if needed in court, to help show who caused the accident.
5 Use Eyewitness Statements
When possible, eyewitness statements can show exactly how an accident occurred and who’s actions likely caused it. For example, those in a car accident will want to get the contact information for any witnesses before leaving the scene of the accident, if possible, so that the statements can be recorded in case they’re needed. For example, if the case does go to trial, the witness statements can be used to show how the accident happened and who caused it, helping the victim obtain compensation.
If you’ve been in an accident and the other party denies liability, you may require evidence to prove they were at fault. Working with a lawyer enables you to get help gathering evidence like what’s listed here to show liability. By doing this, you’ll be able to gain the compensation needed to recover from the accident financially.
