If you or a loved one are involved in a vehicle accident caused by the negligent actions of another driver, then you deserve to receive compensation for your medical bills, property damage expenses, and other losses. Unfortunately, securing this compensation can be difficult, particularly when it comes to determining liability for the incident. Here, we will discuss how liability is determined in the aftermath of a vehicle accident in Philadelphia. There are various types of evidence that can be used in these situations, but most vehicle accident victims do not know how to go about securing the evidence needed to prove what happened in their case.
Evidence-Gathering Begins at the Scene of the Crash
The number one priority after any crash occurs is for those involved to seek medical care. However, if it is safe to do so, and one or more parties do not need to seek medical care immediately, they can begin gathering evidence. Some of the evidence that can be gathered at the scene of a crash to help determine liability can include the following:
- Photographs taken at the scene, including pictures of vehicle damage, injuries, traffic and weather conditions, debris, skid marks, etc.
- The names and contact information of any eyewitnesses.
- The name, driver’s license number, and insurance information of any other driver involved in the collision.
Additionally, it is crucial to make sure that police come to the scene of the crash so that they can conduct a preliminary investigation and possibly even determine the cause of the incident. Police reports are integral parts of insurance settlements and jury trials.
Continuing to Gather Evidence in the Days and Weeks After a Crash
The evidence-gathering process does not stop after a collision has been cleared from the scene. In the days and weeks that follow the incident, there are other types of evidence that can be used to help determine liability. At this point, we should note that it is very beneficial to have a skilled Pennsylvania car accident attorney working on this case. An experienced Philadelphia car accident attorney can use their resources and legal expertise to tap into other sources of evidence.
For example, an attorney will be able to determine whether or not there was any surveillance footage of the incident captured on cameras on nearby homes or businesses. It may be necessary for an attorney to work through the court system to get a subpoena in order to obtain this footage. Additionally, an attorney will work to determine whether or not any laws were broken by the at-fault driver who caused the crash. This could include gathering any citations issued, the results of any blood alcohol or field sobriety tests, or analyzing any evidence gathered by law enforcement at the scene of the crash.
Finally, an attorney may also need to obtain the mobile device data of the at-fault party or even the “black box” data of the vehicles involved in the crash.
Working With Accident Reconstruction Experts
While some vehicle accident cases are relatively straightforward, determining liability may require the assistance of a skilled vehicle accident reconstruction expert.
Accident reconstruction experts can use the evidence that has already been gathered, as well as their knowledge of vehicle accident mechanics and science, to paint a clear picture of what happened at the scene of the crash. Vehicle accident reconstruction experts can present their findings to insurance carriers or even to a personal injury jury in order to help determine liability for the incident.