Clues On The Street: Accident Scenes And Your Case

When it comes to car accident cases, few things are more integral as evidence. Without evidence, the other person's insurance agency could claim that you were at fault and things would never get resolved. To show that that you are not responsible for an accident, evidence gathered at the scene is of prime importance. Read on to find out more about what type of evidence can be gleaned from the street and surroundings after an accident.

First to the Scene: Law Enforcement

In most cases, at least one of the law enforcement officers responding to the scene of an accident will complete an accident report. To compile this report, the officer will make observations and interview people. If the drivers and passengers are able, they will talk to them about what happened to cause the crash. Then, their attention turns to bystanders and people in other vehicles who saw the accident occur. They will also take note of where the damage occurred to the vehicles, where they came to rest, and marks on the road. The report also lists details about the parties, their insurance information, and more. While this report created at the scene is not admissible in court, it undoubtedly stands as an important piece of evidence as to how the accident occurred and can influence settlements.

Insurance Investigations

The insurer for both you and the other driver will also take a keen interest in the cause of the accident and which driver was at fault. Insurance adjusters will often interview the parties as soon as a few days after the accident is reported. Accident victims are usually required to speak to someone from their own insurance company but it's wise to avoid speaking to the other insurer. You should have your personal injury lawyer handle all communications with the at-fault driver's insurer to avoid jeopardizing your case.

Accident Investigations

If fault is not clear, things can be taken up to a higher level by the insurers and your lawyer. Accident scene investigators specialize in viewing photographs and video of accident scenes and determining which driver was careless and caused the wreck. Your own lawyer may employ an accident reconstruction expert to review the evidence and submit an expert statement on how the accident happened. These experts use computer simulations to determine who did what and when.

If you know you were not at fault for an accident, take action today. Speak to a personal injury lawyer to find out more.