How Are Car Accident Injury Cases Investigated?

 Posted on November 12, 2021 in Car Accidents

Countless different factors can coalesce in a car crash. Drivers may be distracted by their phones or in-vehicle controls, the road may be slippery due to recent rain, or a vehicle’s brakes may be in need of repair. Whatever the exact circumstances that led to a collision, car accident investigations are complicated. If you or a loved one were involved in a serious wreck, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages. However, to recover compensation and hold the at-fault parties accountable, you must prove several elements. There are many different ways that personal injury attorneys investigate crashes in a personal injury case. Read on to learn more.

Evidence is Needed to Prove Liability and Damages

In any personal injury case, four main elements must be demonstrated: Duty, breach of duty, causation, and damages. Establishing a party’s duty of care is often the most straightforward of these elements. All drivers have a legal duty to follow traffic laws and drive with a reasonable level of caution. Breach of duty refers to the illegal or negligent actions taken by the at-fault party. This may involve negligent driving behaviors, negligent design or manufacture of a vehicle component, or another form of negligence or wrongdoing. Causation refers to the relationship between the at-fault party’s actions and the victim’s injuries. Damages are the financial losses suffered by the victim or victim’s family caused by the injuries or death.

Evidence is needed to prove these elements. Personal injury lawyers may use forensic evidence at the crash scene like vehicle damage, debris patterns, and skid marks. They may use footage from dash cameras or traffic cameras, photographs, and other documentary evidence. Many vehicles are now equipped with event data recorders that record technical vehicle information before, during, and after a crash. This information can be used to piece together exactly what happened during the accident and who is at fault.

Witness Statements and Expert Testimony

Another crucial form of evidence is witness statements. Individuals who witnessed the crash can provide a first-hand account of what happened during or immediately before a crash. For example, a witness may report that a driver was drifting between lanes before a crash, pointing to intoxicated driving or distracted driving.

Testimony from experts is often a key piece of evidence in a car accident case. Accident reconstruction experts can provide insight into how and why the accident occurred. Medical experts can explain the types of injuries the victims suffered. A vocational rehabilitation specialist can explain how a victim’s injuries reduce his or her ability to work.

Contact a Waukegan Car Accident Lawyer

If you were injured or a loved one was killed in a collision, contact a Waukegan personal injury attorney for help. Call Salvi & Maher, LLP at 847-662-3303 today for a free consultation.

Source:

https://www.nhtsa.gov/research-data/event-data-recorder