Auto Accident Cases Aren't Always Straightforward
Posted on: 22 September 2017
How do you prove that an auto accident wasn't your fault? Is it obvious because of the angle of the damage or because of where you were in traffic? What if you rear-ended the other vehicle; is it so obvious that the other car backed into you or did something so terrible on the road that you couldn't avoid the hit? Many auto accident situations aren't so simple that a well-placed argument or the power of truth can save you from every situation, but with a few tools and techniques, you can make your argument a lot stronger if the truth isn't obvious to the legal system.
Do You Have A Dash Cam?
One of the best ways to strengthen your legal argument in an auto accident case is to have video evidence. Instead of relying on someone else to have a camera in the right place or getting images only from after the accident, dash cameras can record the events that lead up to the accident.
A good dash camera will be able to record a few days of footage, just in case the camera runs too long. You don't want to accidentally record over vital footage, and these systems usually turn off when power is turned off unless a specific battery setting is used.
To make the recording problem less of an issue, look for a dash cam that uses SD (secure digital) cards. These are the same cards used in older cameras and as extra storage in smartphones and tablets, and they can get big enough to hold multiple days before overwriting.
Positioning is everything. A dash cam needs to be securely mounted in a place where it can capture the entire windshield at the very least. Additional cameras can be added to capture additional views, but make sure they're not loose enough to be knocked around with a slight fender bender.
Proper Evidence Gathering After An Accident
With or without a dash cam, you'll want to get some additional evidence after the accident. Unless someone is in physical danger, don't pick up, move, throw, or otherwise alter anything. Just take pictures once everyone is confirmed safe.
Take pictures of the other vehicle's license plate and your damage. This is to have actionable information in case the other driver tries to escape, and you can capture the actual crime scene in case someone changes the evidence around before police can arrive.
Although it's hard to cover the fact that you're using a phone, don't advertise that you're recording everything--and especially avoid pointing out your dash camera. A desperate person may try to steal or destroy the evidence, and there's no real benefit to pointing out the camera except for very specific circumstances where you're sure it can stop someone from attacking you.
Contact an auto accident lawyer, such as one at the Law Office Of Andrew J Leger Jr, to discuss using video and picture evidence, and get their contact information in your phone for quick emailing and assistance.
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