When you are involved in a car accident in Atlanta, Georgia, you may need to file a lawsuit to recover damages. Evidence is critical in car accident lawsuits because it provides proof of what happened during the accident, who was at fault, and the damages you suffered. Strong evidence can increase your chances of winning your case and receiving fair compensation.
It is challenging to prove fault or recover damages in a car accident lawsuit without evidence. The best way to collect this evidence is to hire an experienced Atlanta car accident lawyer. Your attorney will know how to gather the right evidence quickly.
Types of Evidence in Car Accident Lawsuits
Gathering evidence after a car accident in Georgia is important for several reasons. First and foremost, evidence can be used to establish fault or liability for the accident. This is important because Georgia follows a modified comparative fault system, which means you can only recover damages if you are less than 50% at fault for the accident. If insurance companies dispute fault or deny liability, evidence can help establish who is truly to blame for the crash.
Physical Evidence
Physical evidence after a car accident is crucial to proving fault and collecting compensation. Vehicle damage, skid marks, and even road conditions all help tell the story of how the accident occurred and who may be to blame.
Some of the physical evidence your Atlanta car accident lawyer can collect may include:
- Vehicle damage
- Road conditions
- Skid marks
- Debris
Eyewitness Testimony
Eyewitnesses can provide a firsthand account of the events leading up to and during your accident. They may offer crucial information to make or break a case, such as what happened before, during, and after your car accident. They can help determine who was driving, which vehicle was at fault, and whether the driver violated any traffic laws.
One of the main reasons why eyewitness testimony is so important in car accident cases is that it can help establish fault. An eyewitness may have seen a driver run a red light, swerve out of their lane, or text on their phone before the crash. Their testimony can even shed light on other evidence, such as how skid marks occurred.
Medical Evidence
To recover damages, your Atlanta car accident attorney must demonstrate that you suffered actual harm due to the accident. To do this, they will gather medical evidence.
Medical evidence can demonstrate the nature and extent of your harm, including physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial losses such as medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs.
Medical evidence can also help establish that the crash directly caused your injuries, not pre-existing conditions. For example, a medical report may indicate that you suffered a back injury due to the accident rather than from a pre-existing condition. This can help establish liability on the part of the at-fault driver and increase your chances of receiving compensation.
Your lawyer may gather various types of medical evidence, including:
- Medical records
- Doctor testimony
- Expert medical testimony
Using Evidence to Negotiate Higher Settlements
Lawyers use evidence to negotiate higher settlements by demonstrating the strength of their client’s case and the potential risks the opposing party faces if the case were to go to trial. This can include evidence of prior similar cases that have gone to trial and the associated verdicts or settlements.
Car accident attorneys also use evidence to demonstrate the strengths of their own case, such as witness statements and expert opinions. This can help persuade the other party or their insurance company to offer a higher settlement to avoid the risks and costs of going to trial.
With the right evidence, your Atlanta car accident lawyer can persuade the insurance company to accept responsibility and offer a higher settlement.
Contact Our Atlanta Car Accident Lawyers Today
If you or someone you love suffered an injury in a car accident, we can help you collect the money you need – and deserve. Our car accident attorneys will collect the evidence necessary to prove liability and win your case. We know your time is better spent with your loved ones and focusing on your recovery. That’s why we want to take the burden of collecting evidence off your shoulders.
When you come to Kim Law, our experienced Atlanta car accident attorney will meet you in a free consultation and begin fighting for your rights today! Contact us today for a free consultation. We work on a contingency basis, so you don’t pay us anything unless we win your case! Just call and JUST WIN.