What Evidence Do You Need in a Car Accident Case?

In Texas, a reportable crash occurs every 57 seconds. When a car accident happens, the insurance company needs to determine liability, or who caused the crash. This is done through evidence.

Evidence can come in many forms. The evidence that’s available to you will depend on many factors, including the seriousness of the injuries involved and the location of the accident. Here’s a look at some evidence you should gather.

Types of Evidence

There are many types of evidence that can be helpful in a car accident case. Helpful evidence includes:

• Police report. A police report details what happened in the accident. It includes statements, photos, and diagrams of the crash. They can sometimes include the officer’s opinions and show determination of fault.
• Physical evidence. Bumpers, license plates, and any other evidence left at the accident scene can help determine what happened and who is at fault.
• A picture is worth a thousand words. Get out your phone and start snapping photos of the accident scene, including the vehicles, location, traffic signs and signal, skid marks on the road, and any injuries.
• Witness statements. Your own statement about how the accident happened is important evidence. However, you will need statements from others to show what really happened. See if there were any witnesses to the crash and get their name and contact information.
• Medical records. X-rays, test results, and other medical records can show the severity of your injuries, which can be useful in calculating damages.
• Official documents. Medical bills, pay stubs, and receipts can help show the damages that you suffered as a result of the accident.
• Surveillance video. Video of the car accident and its aftermath can answer a lot of the questions about how the accident happened. However, it can be difficult to locate, so you need to act quickly. Video footage can come from numerous sources, including:
  • Private property surveillance cameras. Many homeowners have Ring cameras or other cameras on their property. These videos often show nearby events, such as accidents.
  • Traffic cameras. Traffic signals often have cameras on them to punish red light runners and they may show accidents as well.
  • Dash cams. Many drivers have dash cams installed in their vehicles in the event of an accident, so they may have captured something.
  • Social media. It seems as though just about everyone is recording everything they do nowadays. Some people may have video footage of accidents and post it on their TikTok, Facebook, or other social media sites.

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer

 Car accident cases are not always clear cut. Sometimes it is hard to determine who is at fault. Evidence can help in this regard.

In a crash? Get the help you need from a Houston car accident attorney from The West Law Office, PLLC. We can help prove fault and damages. To schedule a free consultation with our office, call 281-347-3247 or fill out the online form.

Source:

ftp.txdot.gov/pub/txdot-info/trf/crash_statistics/2022/01.pdf