Austin, the capital of Texas, is known for many things. Car accidents are one of them. Austin is a big city with a population of almost 1 million.
It is natural for car accidents to occur in cities like Austin. It is hard to control car accidents because of the population. Car accidents can be reduced if victims come forward and take action.
Victims must file a claim with the help of Austin car accident attorneys. These lawyers can help you hold the negligent party accountable and make them pay the bills you have incurred as a result of the accident.
Proving a car accident case
In personal injury cases, the victim bears the burden of proof. It means that the victim has to provide substantial evidence to prove their case. They have to prove the following elements:
- The defendant owed a duty of care to the victim
- The defendant breached that duty of care
- The breach of duty of care is the direct cause of the accident
- The accident has caused losses to the victim
To prove all this, the victim needs proper evidence.
The evidence a car accident victim should collect
Knowing what evidence to collect following an accident can help greatly. Here are some pieces of evidence you, as a car accident victim, can collect:
- Copy of police report
- Photos and videos
- Witness statements
- Document of your expenses
Copy of police report
Police reports are highly valuable in car accident claim cases. The police report will contain the following information:
- The time and location of the accident
- Statements of involved parties
- Statements of witnesses
This information can be used to prove your case. A police report will be highly trusted since it is a bias-free report that comes directly from the police department.
Photos and videos
Photo and video evidence can help prove many things. Take pictures of the following:
- Your injuries
- The damage done to your car
- Skid marks
- The license plate of the at-fault party’s car
- Traffic signs and signals
These photos and videos can help your case to a great extent. Give these photos to your lawyer. They will present them during the negotiation phase and get you a fair deal.
Witness statements
Witness statements are a great deal in car accident cases. Without witness statements, the case will be your words against the at-fault party’s words.
A witness statement can swing a case to one particular side. Since they see the accident from a different perspective, they will have a better idea of what went down.
Also, expert witness statements can help your case. Experts like doctors can give the jury a better idea about your medical condition.
Document your expenses
It is obvious that you will incur many types of losses as a result of the accident. You need to document all these expenses.
Collect all the bills you incur as a result of the accident. This can help you prove that you have sustained damages because of the accident.
Medical bills can prove that you suffered injuries and have spent money to treat your injuries.
Final thoughts
Car accident claims can help the victims get their lives back on track. It also helps to deter individuals from engaging in such behaviors in the future. By filing a claim, victims can make Austin a safe place for everyone.
Going through a claim alone can be scary, which is why you need to hire a lawyer. An experienced car accident attorney can help collect relevant evidence and prove your case. They will also negotiate with the insurance company and get you the compensation you deserve.
Hiring a lawyer is not expensive since most lawyers work on a contingency fee arrangement. There is no upfront fee, and they get paid only if they win your case.
