If you are injured in a car accident in Chicago that another party caused, you may be able to recover compensation for your damages. However, you will still need to prove that the defendant is liable for your injuries and establish the value of your damages.
To prove causation, liability, and damages, you need strong evidence. At Meyers & Flowers, our Chicago car accident lawyers carefully investigate each car accident to determine all possible causes and potentially liable parties. We also work to uncover essential evidence to prove your claim and damages. Contact us today.
Why Do You Need Evidence?
You may wonder why you need to worry about collecting evidence to prove your case when the other party was clearly at fault. Well, the at-fault party’s insurance company will not usually just hand over payment for all your damages unless you have evidence to prove your claim.
Most car accident claims are based on negligence. To prove negligence, you must establish four elements. First, you must prove the defendant owed you a duty of care. Well, that’s easy enough to establish because all motorists owe a duty of care to operate their vehicles in a reasonably safe manner to avoid harming others.
Next, you must prove that the defendant breached their duty of care by their negligent action or inaction. You need evidence to prove that the defendant failed to meet their duty of care. You want something to establish that the defendant did not operate their vehicle in a reasonably safe manner. If they violated a traffic rule, such as running a red light or speeding, you need to gather evidence to prove this fact. Without evidence, the other motorists could simply deny that they were negligent.
Then, you need evidence that the defendant’s action caused your accident and injuries. So, if you prove they ran a red light, you need to prove that running the red light caused them to crash into you. You may be able to demonstrate this with eyewitness testimony, photos, or video footage.
Finally, you need evidence that you suffered damages due to the defendant’s negligent action or inaction. You may establish this fact with medical records, invoices for car repairs, and proof of lost wages.
Without evidence to prove each necessary element of negligence, you cannot be successful in your personal injury claim.
Types of Evidence Used in Your Car Accident Case in Chicago
At Meyers & Flowers, our attorneys carefully select each piece of evidence to be used to prove your case. Some types of evidence we may use in your car accident case in Chicago include:
- Photographs.
- Video footage taken at the accident scene.
- Video footage from nearby surveillance or traffic cameras.
- Dashcam video footage.
- Information from event data recorders.
- Eyewitness accounts.
- Medical and economic experts.
- Accident reconstructionists and other industry experts.
- Paystubs and income tax returns.
- Vehicle repair estimates and damage reports.
- Pain journals and diaries.
- Police reports.
- Medical records.
The evidence used in your Chicago car accident case will depend on the specific facts of your accident and injuries.
Contact an Experienced Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you have been injured in a car accident caused by another party, our personal injury lawyers in Chicago want to help you recover the full compensation you deserve.
Call (630) 394-5189 or complete the short form on our contact page to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.