Most courtroom TV dramas involving criminal investigations or car accident claims are overly exaggerated and melodramatic. One truth, though, is that successfully proving any case requires evidence. Photographs and videos may be useful when it comes to proving car accident claims — and disproving the opposing party’s legal defenses. Photographic evidence can also serve a tactical advantage in cases where the insurance company is disputing fault or liability.
If you have sustained personal injuries and damages in a car accident that occurred in Washington State, the car accident lawyers at Etengoff Pak Law Group may be able to assist you with your case. Mr. Etengoff and his team of attorneys devote all of their time to representing accident victims. They do not represent insurance companies or large corporations and are fully committed to representing you and maximizing the value of your case.
Determining Liability in Car Accident Claims
When it comes to proving liability — or fault — in a personal injury case, photographs and video evidence of the accident scene can be particularly helpful. The person who is at fault for the accident is financially responsible for paying your damages. These damages can include medical bills and lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and mental anguish.
Video cameras today are becoming increasingly inexpensive and available. Moreover, dashcam video footage provides a clear viewpoint of the collision as it occurs and offers irrefutable evidence of how the accident happened. This video footage may also be admissible later on if your personal injury case goes to trial.
In addition to video footage from a traditional camera or dashcam, photographs are also important pieces of evidence in car accident claims. Photographs may provide visual representations of the following:
- The accident scene
- The collision
- The property damage sustained
Photographic evidence can sometimes provide the missing piece to the liability puzzle and can prove to investigators, once and for all, who caused the accident.
Determining the Severity of an Accident
In many car accident claims and personal injury cases, insurance companies and their adjusters will try to downplay the severity of the accident. A dashcam recording of the accident can demonstrate that a crash was violent — or that it occurred at a high rate of speed. Similarly, good photographs which depict a totaled car or significant property damage to the vehicles can further support a claim for serious injuries. Rightly or wrongly, in the minds of most insurance adjusters, significant property damage translates into severe and highly compensable injuries.
Retaining Accident-Related Video Footage and Photographs
Generally speaking, car accident claims can take a long time to resolve. In fact, the average personal injury case lasts from several months to a few years. Therefore, if you have sustained injuries in a car accident, it is essential that you retain all photographic and video evidence depicting the accident or your property damage. You should also forward all of this documentation to your attorney. This will be useful in the event a lawsuit is filed or your case goes to trial.
Call a Washington State Car Accident Claims Lawyer Today for a Free Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation
As a personal injury claimant, you have the burden of proving liability in your case. You must also prove your injuries and damages. Good photographs and videos can go a long way in helping you obtain monetary compensation for all of your accident-related injuries. Our Car Accident Attorney in Vancouver, WA will be able to answer any of your issues and concerns, recommend how you should proceed. We are ready and well prepared to assist you. Contact the Washington State car accident claims lawyers at the Etengoff Pak Law Group by calling (360) 693-2919.
