Why You Need Pictorial Evidence for Your Car Accident Lawsuit
In the event of a car accident where you believe the other driver was at fault, the burden of proof falls on you, the plaintiff, to prove that their negligent driving habits, such as getting behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, led to the crash.
Evidence is the compass to guide you through the responsibility of proving negligence. To that accord, pictures of the scene form a crucial aspect of proof, critical to turning the tides in your favor. Find out how in this comprehensive blog.
Pictures as Evidence in a Car Accident Claim
When preparing your case, the range of evidence you can admit is extensive. For example, the investigators could use the police report as a starting point for determining fault. However, it becomes less effective if the other driver is not cited for a traffic offense.
Alternatively, you could rely on witness accounts. Yet, this option is not always available because some accidents may occur without witnesses. And in an age where everyone minds their own business, most drivers would most likely drive away.
Hence, our proof analysis brings us to the value of pictorial evidence. It can help substantiate your claim when all else fails. Without photographs of the scene, damages, or injury, in the end, it may come down to your word against the defendant, which can make things complicated.
So then, what can you submit as pictorial proof?
- The position of the vehicles and any car parts that may have broken on impact- These pictures can help investigators deduce which party was responsible based on the vehicle angles.
- Skid marks- Documenting skid marks made by any or both of the vehicles can help investigate whether the drivers attempted to brake, which can prove the responsible party.
- Weather conditions- Pictures that depict weather conditions at the time of the accident can help recreate it.
- The extent and location of damages on each of the drivers’ vehicles- Capturing images showing the damages to the cars can also help deduce the mechanics of the physical injuries.
- Photographs of the drivers and passengers involved- Getting the details of the involved parties can help in identification
Why Immediate Evidence Collection Matters in Florida Accidents
Local Florida authorities will work to restore the road to its normal operation as soon as possible. This means the skid marks will be cleared and wreckages towed away. Once you lose this evidence, you can never recover it.
Therefore, pictorial proof is most effective when collected fresh, during the aftermath of the accident. To put it more plainly, its value diminishes as time passes.
“Most modern cameras, including the ones on regular smartphones, automatically assign date, time, and location stamps to captured snippets. When admitted as evidence, this information solidifies its validity,” says personal injury attorney Christopher Largey of Largey Law.
What if you are physically unable to take pictures? Have someone else, like a passenger or bystander, if present, take it for you. Doing so will not in any way affect its validity.
Conclusion
In brief, while there’s a lot of different kinds of evidence you can admit to substantiate your claim, few can match the impact pictorial proof makes. Especially when taken immediately after the crash, images of the scene depict the immediate events after. Finally, they can help investigators determine fault, boosting your chances of success.
Also Read: Understanding the Legal Process of Motorcycle Accident Lawsuits
