If you were seriously hurt in a car accident, the outcome of any subsequent claims you file will come down to the strength of the evidence you present. Failing to prove liability or losses, for example, is going to result in a denial. Convincing the insurance adjuster of both, on the other hand, should yield a satisfactory payout.
While every car accident claim is unique, most demand the same kinds of evidence. Read on for some of the most common pieces of proof that contribute to personal injury actions involving motor-vehicle collisions:
1. The Official Police Report
If responding officers thought any of the motorists who were involved were drunk, drowsy, or distracted, they should have noted it in their formal report. They should have also recorded any confessions stating as much by the drivers in question. As such, their report could serve as the foundation of your claim.
2. Photographs of the Wreckage
Car accident attorneys remind victims who don’t require emergency medical attention to remain at the scene and photograph it once police have directed traffic away from the area. Images of the wreckage, including skid marks, broken glass, and the configuration of the vehicles that were involved, will help accident reconstruction experts deduce what happened in the moments leading up to the crash.
3. Testimony from Other Motorists, Their Passengers, and/or Nearby Pedestrians
While not considered indisputable evidence of fault, statements from those who saw what happened can still support your claim. If their testimony aligns with your own telling of events, for example, it will bolster your credibility.
4. Black Box Data
Auto manufacturers started including event data recorders, or “black boxes,” in some of their vehicles in the 90s. If your car, truck, or SUV is from 2013 or later, it’s essentially guaranteed to have one no matter its maker.
These devices record a host of variables regarding the vehicle’s operations. Examples include speed, brake application, and seat belt usage.
As such, their data can help investigators determine what happened in the seconds leading up to a wreck. Since liable parties are unlikely to release such data because it will inevitably implicate them, however, you may need to apply legal pressure to obtain it.
5. Medical Records
Hospital logs, diagnostic images, and other medical records will help demonstrate a link between the accident in question and the injuries you sustained. These documents will also serve as the basis for your damages claim.
Therefore, it’s imperative to preserve everything from all your appointments, as well as the invoices you receive from your health care insurer. No document is too inconsequential to set aside for your legal team.
Speak with a Houston Car Accident Lawyer
If you want to file a car accident claim in Texas, turn to Chelsie King Garza, P.C. for strategic counsel at every stage. For more than 18 years, attorney Garza has been securing sizable settlements and verdicts on behalf of injured parties. To schedule your free case review with a car accident attorney in Houston, call 713-893-8808 or complete her Online Contact Form.
