There are millions of car accidents occurring annually and these can have a massive impact on individuals. This is often due to negligence of at least one of the drivers. Proving this, however, can be difficult and may be challenging for you to claim compensation for the damage suffered.Â
If you find yourself in this situation and it is not your fault, proving that you are not at fault is crucial. This article will advise you of important steps you need to take to prove negligence after a car accident.
Seek Medical Help
The first thing you want to do is to seek medical help after your accident. Being involved in a car crash can result in serious injuries and you must privatise your health above everything else. Even if you believe you are well you could have suffered from internal injuries that you are not yet aware of due to the high levels of adrenaline within your body. A medical professional will ensure that all is well with your health and this will also serve as evidence of the accident as well as any injuries that you may have included as a result.
Gather Evidence
If you want to prove negligence after car accidents you will need to have appropriate evidence to support your case. Negligence can be a very difficult thing to prove and if the other party is denying their faults or blaming you for the events it will be even more crucial for you to have all appropriate evidence to support what you are saying. These cases are likely to end up in court and no judge will rule in your favour without any evidence. As mentioned above, medical records can be used as evidence but there are other things that you can do as well. Start by taking pictures of the accident any damage does occur as a result, ask any witnesses to provide a statement, write down your version of events and take photos of any injuries. If you have a camera installed in your vehicle the footage from this can also be used and it will be one of the most reliable pieces of evidence considering that everyone will be able to see exactly what happened.
Consult with an Attorney
Dealing with this on your own will be very difficult. Proven negligence may require some knowledge of the law, which you may not have. If you feel overwhelmed or struggling with this case it may be a good idea to consult with an expert in this field. An attorney will know exactly what to do and what evidence to gather for you. Moreover, if the case ends up in courts they can represent you. This way you won’t have to worry about this additional stress; You can simply leave it to professionals and focus on any other aspects of your life while this gets resolved. If you live in Illinois, it is recommended that you consult with an attorney whose expertise is handling car accident cases in Chicago as they will be trained in this particular area. This is the best way to improve your chances in proving negligence and claiming compensation.
Do Not Discuss Events With The Other Party
When you get involved in a car accident it can be tempting for all the parties involved to stop discussing the events or even to argue about what just happened. however, make sure that you avoid doing this as you may accidentally agree that it was your fault and your negligence caused the accident. If you take responsibility for what happened or even part of it you will not be entitled to any compensation as you will be seen at fault. This is another reason having an attorney by your side is crucial as they can communicate with the other party anywhere in the insurance providers on both sides.
Report The Accident
Reporting the accidents is another great way to have official evidence. This should be done as soon as the accident occurs and your main point of contact will be the police. The authorities will be able to take statements from everyone involved in the accidents, including yourself, as well as the statements of any potential witnesses and I may have seen what happened. From the police will then be used in court to either support you or go against you. Your attorney should have access to these records so that they can build a case for you in your favour effectively.
If you find yourself involved in a car accident, it is essential that you understand what to do. The information should provide you with the clear steps you need to take to prove negligence so that you receive the compensation you are entitled to.