When a victim suffers injury as a result of the careless actions of another driver, they are required to prove that the at-fault party should be held liable for damages in order to obtain compensation for damages such as medical bills, missed time from work, and property damage. However, without the right evidence, victims may find it difficult to get the justice they deserve.
If you require assistance with collecting evidence for North Charleston car accident litigation, make it a priority to speak with a knowledgeable auto accident attorney today for guidance.
What Types of Evidence Does an Attorney Look to Obtain?
Attorneys are known to gather evidence in numerous ways. The first and easiest way to obtain evidence is by speaking with the victim themselves. Since the victim was at the scene of an accident, they may have pictures of the car, scene of the accident, and the at-fault driver’s vehicle. If the victim was not able to record any evidence, an attorney would go through law enforcement and try to obtain any body cam footage or the police report from law enforcement who arrived at the scene for an accident. Attorneys could also review the medical records of the victim in order to prove that the injuries caused by the at-fault party are irrefutable in comparison to the details of an accident. Lastly, an attorney could hire experts to give professional opinions regarding how an accident occurred and why the defendant should be liable for damages.
How Long Does It Take to Obtain Evidence?
It can vary widely, depending on how complicated the fact pattern of the cases. Sometimes there might be information that is only available to plaintiffs through the Freedom of Information Act request, which would likely result in getting dash camera footage or body camera footage from the police officers involved. This process alone could be significantly time-consuming.
Other types of evidence may only be available with a warrant or a subpoena. Therefore, an attorney must take time in order to have these types of requests granted by the judge. However, this would typically be done after a victim is done with medical treatment and are fully aware of the extent of their damages. As a result, the process of gathering evidence could be as long as a year. It is totally dependent on the facts of a case, the extent of the injuries, and the common fact patterns.
Speak with a Professional Attorney for Help
The process of gathering evidence could prove to be very long and confusing for someone with limited legal experience. This is why professional injury attorneys are entrusted with collecting evidence for North Charleston car accident litigation time and time again. With the guidance of an attorney, injured victims are better suited to obtain the evidence necessary for obtaining compensation for damages. If you wish to learn more, or require help with filing a specific case, be sure to get in touch with one of our legal professionals today.
