In California, if you are involved in a car accident and want to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault party, you must prove that they caused the accident and that the accident caused your injuries. This is why it is so important to maintain as much evidence as possible. Keep reading to find out what types of evidence you should be saving and then contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 to request a free legal consultation.
Evidence Needed to Prove Fault in a Car Accident Claim
There are two main types of evidence you need in a car accident claim. The first is fault. As the name suggests, this means proving that another person or company was at fault for your accident. The type of evidence used to prove fault can include photos, videos, medical records, physical evidence from the scene like skid marks, videos from CCTV cameras nearby, the testimony of eyewitnesses, copies of accident reports, and the police report.
Your personal injury attorney may also work with expert witnesses such as accident reconstruction professionals who can use the evidence to show what happened. If the accident involved a commercial truck, then driver’s logs, the black box from the truck, and maintenance records may all be necessary.
Evidence Needed to Prove Damages in a Car Accident Claim
The second type of evidence involves proving your damages. This will help us calculate how much your claim is worth. Remember that your claim includes economic damages, such as medical bills, as well as noneconomic damages, such as pain and suffering.
Examples of the type of evidence that may be used to prove your damages include copies of medical records, statements from friends and family, invoices, statements, bills, receipts, statements from doctors and other healthcare providers, copy of payroll records and tax returns showing declining income, and pictures of your injuries.
How to Calculate the Value of a Car Accident
The first step of calculating the value of a car accident is to add up the economic damages. These are the damages that are available in real numbers, such as your medical bills, property damage, and lost wages. Then you must add in the noneconomic damages. These do not have a specific amount of money attached them. For example, they include pain and suffering.
Your attorney can find a fair value for your accident. We will then request this amount from the insurance company. They may offer a reasonable counter offer and a settlement may be achieved. If not, we are not afraid to take your case to court. Call The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker now at 800-333-0000 to request a free legal consultation and find out what your options are.
