3 Types of Collision Evidence That Prove Fault in High-Stakes Injury Cases

When an accident leads to severe injuries, the financial and legal stakes go up quite significantly. In this situation, proving fault becomes vital, especially when medical expenses run into six figures or the victim’s ability to work is on the line. However, to prove fault, it’s vital to understand different types of collision evidence and how to gather everything to strengthen your case. Here’s what you should know.

Police Crash Reports and Witness Documentation

A police report is usually the first official record after an accident. It records everything about where the cars were, who the witnesses are, any tickets issued, and the officer’s notes on road conditions. Insurance adjusters consider all these details during the first liability check, and any mistake here could turn the whole case around.

This is why it makes sense to team up with a car accident law firm, as experienced lawyers can help you identify any gaps in the reports that could be used in your favor. For instance, the report may indicate that there was only one witness when in fact three people stopped to help.  These factors make a difference because adjusters have to rely on them to construct their case for fault.

To handle things properly, be sure to request a copy of the report as soon as the agency hands it over to you. Then, compare it with your version of the story. Remember, staying ahead of mistakes means getting your own proof when the scene is still fresh.

Event Data Recorder and Vehicle Computer Data

Modern vehicles are now capable of recording exactly what happens just before an accident. For instance, Event Data Recorders (EDRs) can tell you a lot about things like throttle position, speed, seatbelt use, brake use, steering, and airbag deployment timing. It means that if a driver swears they slammed the brakes, but the EDR shows no brake pressure and steady acceleration, this changes the whole argument. 

The problem is that getting this data on time is not always possible. EDR data stays inside the car’s computer module, and you may lose it if the car is repaired, wrecked, or goes to the salvage yard before anyone can access it. Experienced lawyers know this and are quick to send out letters to tow yards and insurance companies to ensure the vehicle isn’t altered before the EDR is retrieved.

Dashcam Footage and Surveillance Systems

Videos can help explain various factors related to a car accident, including time, motion, and sequence in ways that words can’t. Dashcam footage of a person violating a red light eliminates any doubt about who violated traffic laws. It even tells you about factors that people might ignore, like the weather, how congested the roads were, and whether brake lights were already on before impact.

If you have a personal dashcam video, be sure to remove the memory card immediately and stash it in a safe place. Copy the file, but leave the original untouched so that its integrity is preserved in case of any dispute. Adjusters and defense attorneys scrutinize video evidence, so under no circumstances should you be tampering with the footage.

Endnote

Determining fault in serious injury cases depends on collecting evidence that survives challenge. To have a stronger case, you need to bring together a number of different types of evidence quickly, verify them for accuracy, and protect them from being lost. It matters even more when accidents involve serious injury. Be sure to educate yourself about it and work with an attorney to know how to proceed.