ESPANOL
When you are involved in a car accident caused by another driver, you may need to prove how the accident occurred to collect compensation. You can tell who caused an accident by:
- The points of impact on each involved vehicle
- The investigative notes detailed in the crash report
- Statements from independent witnesses
- Your medical records regarding your injuries
In addition to proving the cause of the accident, you must also prove the at-fault driver owed you a duty of care and breached that responsibility. Then, you have to prove that their actions caused your injuries and other financial consequences. A lawyer can help you prove the cause of the accident, assign liability, and pursue financial recovery.
The Crash Report Is a Valuable Document
According to S.C. Ann. §56-5-1260, a crash report is required immediately after a car accident in South Carolina if the accident caused any injuries or fatalities. Similarly, according to OCGA §40-6-273, a crash report is mandatory if an accident causes injuries, death, or more than $500 in apparent property damage.
However, even if it was not mandatory, filing a crash report is a good idea because it provides your lawyer with important information that can prove the cause of the collision.
In addition to providing the contact information for the at-fault driver and their insurer, the official crash report might also contain:
- Vehicle identification information
- An estimate regarding how fast each car was traveling
- The posted speed limit
- A written description of the accident
- Diagrams detailing the accident
Crash Reports Are Especially Useful in DUI Cases
The crash report will note whether drug or alcohol use was suspected. When proving the cause of the accident, you should also provide your lawyer with photos of your vehicle’s damage. They can use the point of impact to determine who caused the collision.
For your case to succeed, your lawyer will need to prove that you have suffered financial losses because of the crash. Your lawyer will request documents that help establish your current and future income loss, such as pay stubs, direct deposit receipts, business records, and tax forms. Along with your medical records and bills, your lawyer will use these documents to prove the financial impact of your damages.
Your Lawyer Is Your Advocate
Contributory negligence laws in South Carolina (S.C. Ann. §15-38-15) and in Georgia (O.C.G.A. §51-12-33) affect how much compensation you can receive from an accident. Your portion of fault for the accident could affect the amount of money you can recover. If you bear any percentage of responsibility for the accident, that percentage will be deducted from how much compensation you can receive.
In both states, in order to collect compensation at all, you have to do more than prove that the other driver caused the accident. You also have to prove that your portion of fault does not exceed a certain threshold.
When our team goes to work on your personal injury case, we work hard to hold the other driver accountable for their percentage of fault. This will help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
Contact George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers Now
If you can tell who caused an accident and establish liability, you can file a personal injury insurance claim or lawsuit to receive compensation for your collision-related losses. When George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers goes to work for you, we work hard to satisfy the required elements of your case.
Contact our personal injury team today. We want you to focus on getting better and leave the rest to us.