What Evidence Do I Need to Build a Strong Car Accident Case?

By Ben Gobel on October 14, 2024

Two Men Arguing Over Their Damaged Cars

Car accidents can lead to devastating physical injuries, emotional distress, and financial strain. If you have been injured in a car crash in Pittsburgh, PA, obtaining the right evidence is critical to building a strong car accident case for damages. With dedicated legal help after a car accident, it is possible to collect compelling evidence and hold the negligent parties liable for maximum compensation. 

Police Reports

One of the foundational pieces of evidence for a car accident claim is the police report. After an accident, law enforcement officers typically arrive on the scene to assess the situation and create an official report that documents important details about the crash.

Why Police Reports Matter

  • Objective Account: In car accident claims, the police report provides an objective third-party account of the accident, including the date, time, location, and the officers’ initial impressions of fault.
  • Statements from Involved Parties and Witnesses: Police often interview drivers, passengers, and any witnesses at the scene. These statements are documented in the report, offering insights into how the accident occurred.
  • Citations and Violations: If one or more parties violated traffic laws (e.g., running a red light or speeding), the police report may note these citations, which can help establish liability.

An experienced car accident attorney in Pittsburgh will obtain the police report as part of the process of gathering evidence for car accidents to support the facts of the case.

Photos and Videos from the Accident Scene

Visual evidence is invaluable proof for car crash lawsuits, as it provides a clear and detailed account of the damage, conditions, and factors contributing to the accident.

Types of Visual Evidence

  • Photos of Vehicle Damage: Photos of the damage to the vehicles involved can help an attorney and accident reconstruction experts determine the severity and type of collision, such as a rear-end crash, sideswipe, or T-bone accident. The extent of vehicle damage can also correlate with the injuries sustained.
  • Photos of the Accident Scene: Photos of the accident scene, including road conditions, weather, traffic signs, skid marks, and obstacles, can provide context for how the accident occurred. They may also highlight road defects or visibility issues that contributed to the crash.
  • Traffic Camera, Dashcam and Surveillance Footage: In some cases, traffic cameras, dashcams, or nearby surveillance cameras may have captured the accident. Attorneys can subpoena this footage to establish the sequence of events and who is at fault.
  • Videos of Injuries: Documenting visible injuries shortly after the accident can serve as powerful evidence of the physical impact. This can be helpful in demonstrating the severity of injuries and their correlation to the crash.

Eyewitness Testimony

Witness statements can significantly strengthen a car accident case, particularly if there are conflicting accounts between the parties involved. Eyewitnesses provide a neutral perspective, recounting what they saw before, during, and after the accident.

Importance of Eyewitness Testimony

  • Corroborating Evidence: Eyewitnesses can corroborate your version of events, especially if the other driver disputes liability. Their testimony can establish critical facts, such as which vehicle had the right of way or whether one driver was speeding or distracted.
  • Independent Perspective: Because witnesses are usually uninvolved in the personal injury claim, their testimony is seen as unbiased and can carry significant weight in court.

A skilled Pittsburgh personal injury lawyer will gather contact information from witnesses and obtain detailed statements, either through interviews or written affidavits.

Medical Records

Medical records are critical in establishing the extent of your injuries and linking them directly to the car accident. 

Key Components of Medical Evidence

  • Emergency Room and Hospital Records: Immediately after the accident, many victims are taken to the hospital for treatment. Emergency room records document initial diagnoses, treatments, and the immediate impact of the accident on your health.
  • Doctor’s Notes and Diagnostic Tests: Follow-up visits with doctors, physical therapists, or specialists should also be documented. Diagnostic tests such as x-rays, MRIs, and CT scans provide evidence of broken bones, spinal injuries, head trauma, or internal damage.
  • Medical Bills: Detailed medical bills serve as proof of the financial costs associated with your treatment, including medical expenses for hospital stays, surgeries, prescriptions, physical therapy, and other rehabilitation efforts.
  • Prognosis and Long-Term Care Needs: In some cases, doctors will provide a long-term prognosis, detailing any ongoing or future medical care you may need, such as surgeries or permanent disabilities.

Expert Witness Testimony

Expert witnesses can play a key role in car accident cases, especially when it comes to proving complex issues like accident causation, injury severity, or long-term damages. 

Types of Expert Witnesses

  • Accident Reconstruction Experts: These experts analyze the physical evidence from the accident, such as vehicle damage, skid marks, and crash dynamics, to recreate the sequence of events and determine how the accident occurred. Their testimony can help prove fault or disprove opposing claims.
  • Medical Experts: Medical professionals can explain the severity of your injuries and how they impact your daily life. They may also provide opinions on future medical care needs, long-term disability, and whether the injuries were caused by the accident.
  • Economic Experts: Economic experts calculate the full financial impact of the accident, including lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and the cost of ongoing medical care. Their testimony is critical when seeking compensation for long-term or permanent damages.

Vehicle Damage and Repair Estimates

Repair estimates or proof of total vehicle loss can demonstrate the severity of the crash and the compensation needed for property damage.

Why Vehicle Damage Evidence is Important

  • Proof of Property Damage: The cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle is a recoverable damage in a car accident claim. Providing repair estimates from mechanics or body shops helps establish the financial impact of the crash.
  • Correlation to Injury Severity: In some cases, the extent of vehicle damage can correlate with the severity of injuries. For example, a high-speed collision resulting in significant vehicle damage may also result in severe physical injuries.

Insurance Information and Correspondence

Insurance companies may attempt to minimize payouts, so having documentation of their offers, correspondence, and policy limits is essential.

Key Insurance-Related Documentation

  • Your Insurance Policy: Understanding your coverage, including liability, collision, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and medical payments (PIP), helps determine what compensation is available.
  • Correspondence with Insurance Adjusters: Any written or recorded statements you’ve made to your insurance company or the other driver’s insurer should be provided to your car accident attorney. They will review these statements to ensure they are not used against you.
  • Settlement Offers: If the insurance company has made any settlement offers, these need to be documented and evaluated by your attorney. Often, initial offers are low, and having an attorney review them ensures you don’t accept less than what your case is worth.

Our Battle-Tested Pittsburgh Car Accident Lawyers Will Pursue Maximum Compensation for You

If you have been injured in a car accident, trust the experienced lawyers at Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky to fight for the highest possible compensation you are entitled to. Since 1983, we have dedicated ourselves to serving the Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania community, drawing on our extensive legal knowledge, skills, and passion for justice. 

Our track record of multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements speaks for itself. Our car accident lawyer team has not only helped clients recover compensation but also driven meaningful changes in the law. To schedule your free consultation, call us at (412) 203-8159 or contact us online.