Evidence refers to information supporting liability or damages after an accident. It can make or break your personal injury case. It may persuade a judge or jury to rule in your favor or convince an insurance adjuster to settle your claim. Evidence in personal injury cases takes many forms, from physical objects to verbal testimony. A Torrance personal injury lawyer can review your case for valuable evidence.
Types of Personal Injury Claims in Torrance, California
Evidence is a crucial part of any personal injury claim.
If you or a loved one have been harmed due to someone else’s negligence or intentional conduct, an experienced legal team can help you gather evidence to support your claim arising out of:
- Car accidents
- Slip and falls
- Motorcycle accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Truck accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Dog bites
- Wrongful death
Every personal injury claim requires specific forms of evidence to establish liability and prove your damages.
What Types of Evidence Do You Need to Prove a Personal Injury Claim?
You will generally need to provide compelling evidence to establish your two elements in a personal injury case: liability and damages. The evidence required will vary depending on the specifics of your case and what you need to prove.
Evidence establishing liability is used to prove that someone was legally responsible for your injuries and damages. This requires showing that the person owed you a duty, breached it, and caused your injuries.
Key types of evidence proving liability include:
- Eyewitness testimony: People who saw your accident happen can provide firsthand accounts about how it occurred.
- Surveillance footage: Video from security cameras may have captured the accident as it happened and shown what took place.
- Accident reports: Accident and police reports may include detailed information about the accident, diagrams, witness statements, or the reporter’s observations.
- Maintenance records: Records showing how a property was maintained may be used to show negligence in slip and fall accidents.
- Emails and other communications: Written communications, such as emails or reports, showing someone was aware of a hazardous condition and failed to address it.
Evidence showing liability takes many forms. A Torrance personal injury lawyer will evaluate your case for valuable evidence.
Evidence of damages is important for showing the extent of your injuries and losses and their impact on your life. This includes your economic and non-economic damages.
Key types of evidence showing damages include:
- Medical records and bills: Documentation of medical treatment, prescriptions, and associated costs incurred due to your injury
- Pay stubs and employment records: Documentation showing lost income from the injury, including missed work, bonuses, commissions, or reduced earning capacity
- Expert medical testimony: Testimony from doctors or medical experts about the long-term effects of the injury and future medical needs or accommodations
- Photographs of injuries: Visual evidence of physical injuries sustained in your accident
- Personal journals and diaries: Written accounts about your pain, suffering, and emotional distress after an accident
- Property damage reports: Estimates and reports showing the value of damaged personal property in your accident
Torrance personal injury lawyers can assist with valuing your damages and compiling supporting evidence.
What Is the Role of an Expert Witness?
Expert witnesses play a critical role in many personal injury cases. They can offer specialized knowledge and opinions about liability or damages for a judge or jury. Expert witnesses are particularly valuable when a case requires an understanding of technical, medical, or scientific material.
Their role includes:
- Providing credible testimony: Experts offer professional opinions based on their expertise, which may lend credibility to your claims.
- Explaining technical concepts: Experts can explain medical conditions or reconstruct accidents in an understandable way.
- Establishing a standard of care: Expert witnesses can testify about the accepted standard of care in certain personal injury cases, such as medical malpractice, and how a provider deviated from it.
- Assessing future damages: Experts can testify about future medical expenses, lost earnings, and ongoing care related to your accident.
- Reconstructing accidents: Accident reconstruction experts can analyze evidence from the scene to determine how it occurred and who was at fault. This is valuable in car, motorcycle, and truck accidents.
Personal injury lawyers often work with expert witnesses in personal injury cases. If you or a loved one have been injured, a Torrance Personal injury lawyer can help find experts who may impact your case.
A Torrance Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help You Gather Evidence
Evidence is the foundation of any personal injury claim, especially when proving liability and your damages. If you or a loved one have been injured and believe someone else may be responsible, schedule a free consultation with a Torrance personal injury lawyer. They can discuss the specifics of your case and the types of evidence that may help you prove it. From reviewing medical records to obtaining eyewitness or expert testimony, a personal injury team can help.
