Collecting Evidence in Los Angeles Car Accident Claims

Car accidents could have devastating consequences for injured victims and their loved ones. Despite being a victim, victims must gather evidence to prove they were not at fault.

If you have been involved in an accident, consult our auto accident attorneys about collecting evidence for a Los Angeles car accident claim as soon as possible. Our lawyers could help you gather the necessary documentation to support your case.

Types of Evidence To Help Prove Negligence

Drivers have a general duty to use reasonable care when operating a vehicle. Under California Civil Code § 1714, drivers are generally legally responsible when their lack of reasonable care leads to property damage or injuries.

Examples of evidence that we could gather to help prove fault in a Los Angeles car accident claim include:

• Police reports
• Witness statements or affidavits
• Skidmark analysis
• Accident debris
• Photos of the accident scene
• Video or dash-cam footage
• Expert witness testimony
• Medical bills or records
• Cell phone records

It is essential to gather and document potentially helpful evidence as soon as possible after the collision. However, you should always seek medical treatment first if you have been injured in a crash.

How Our Attorneys Help Clients Collect Evidence

The process of collecting evidence for a lawsuit is called discovery. Our attorneys could help you analyze and understand the most helpful evidence to prove fault during discovery.

Our attorneys could handle discovery tasks like:

• Taking depositions
• Making document requests from the defendant or third parties
• Issuing subpoenas
• Conducting witness or expert witness interviews
• Authenticating documents

Our lawyers could also help you keep up with relevant filing deadlines. For example, you must file personal injury lawsuits within two years of the car accident under California Civil Procedure Code § 335.1.

Our team could also advise clients when resolving car accident claims through the insurance process. Hiring a Los Angeles attorney to collect evidence for car accident claims could help you prove negligence if an insurer disputes fault.

Evidence of Victim’s Negligence Could Limit Compensation

Gathering evidence for claims in Los Angeles is especially important for scenarios where the negligence of multiple parties caused a car accident. In many car accident claims, it comes down to one driver’s word against another’s.

Courts typically assign a percentage of fault to each party potentially responsible for the car accident. If you share responsibility for the negligence that caused the accident, your ability to recover compensation may be limited under the state’s pure comparative negligence doctrine.

According to Li v. Yellow Cab Co., 13 Cal.3d 804 (1975), the doctrine limits damages in proportion to your percentage of responsibility. It is important to note that you could still recover damages even when you share more responsibility than the defendant. For example, if you are 99 percent responsible for the accident, you could still receive up to one percent of the damages sought in the lawsuit.

Contact an Attorney About Collecting Evidence in Los Angeles Car Crash Claims

Our legal team takes a hands-on approach to pursuing the compensation you deserve. We are easily accessible and open to text communication, ensuring a smooth and convenient experience. With a personable, one-on-one approach, we prioritize providing you the support you need. Do not delay speaking with one of our skilled attorneys about collecting evidence in Los Angeles car accident claims.