Car accidents can be terrifying to live through. However, after a crash, you need to try hard to keep a clear head. For one, you need to try to prove what exactly caused the accident. This is important for many reasons. It can determine what your car insurance pays for. It can also determine whether or not you would win in a lawsuit against another party. It can even determine whether or not you committed a crime. Below are a few strategies for proving what caused your car accident.
Take Photos of the Scene
Immediately after the accident, take out your phone and begin snapping photographs. Take photos of the damage to your car, the damage to the other car, and the entire surrounding scene. Try to get both vehicles in multiple photos. This evidence can be used to prove what happened in the collision in a courtroom. If you are represented by a car accident lawyer, send these photos to them as quickly as possible.
Obtain a Police Report
After any car accident, you must call the police. The responding officer will inspect the scene, interview the drivers and passengers involved and then make a report. That police report will have a lot of weight in regards to proving your side to your insurance company and even a judge and jury if you choose to seek a lawsuit.
Obtain Witness Testimony
If your accident took place in a populated area, there is a good chance there are people who saw exactly what happened. Those individuals may be able to give testimony to show that you were not at fault for the accident. As quickly as possible, try to obtain the contact information of these third party witnesses and even statements from them if you can. Also give this information to your lawyer. Obtaining their testimony regarding what really happened can certainly help prove your case.
Obtain Security Camera Footage
There is a lot more video surveillance today than in the past. Because of that, there is a good chance that the collision was caught on camera. Investigate whether or not that is the case. For example, a security camera at a nearby store may have filmed the accident. Seek the permission of the store owner to obtain that footage so you can prove your side of the story.
Talk to a Lawyer
If you don’t know where to start with proving your case, talk to a local car accident lawyer. They’ll be able to look at the facts of your case and direct you. They may also be able to help you get evidence, such as security footage of the accident, that could be more difficult for you to find. Additionally, because a car accident lawyer is used to these types of cases, they’ll be able to help you file everything correctly and on time so that the process goes as smoothly as possible.
Car accidents can be traumatizing. However, what you do directly after one can help to shape your financial future. Try to obtain as much evidence as you can to prove exactly how the accident occurred. Doing so can help you to obtain a settlement from your car insurance company or even the other driver if you wish to pursue a lawsuit.
