From slips and falls to car crashes, accidents at work to animal bites, finding yourself the victim of a personal injury can be a painful and traumatizing experience. The good news is that in most cases, the law will be on your side, and you will have the chance to take your case to court and be awarded compensation and damages for your pain, suffering, and financial losses you have incurred as a result of the accident. In case you have questions about your particular case, you can always contact our Salt Lake City personal injury lawyers.
What Is Liability?
To make a successful claim in court, you will need to prove that the other party involved in the accident was liable for the incident and any subsequent injuries you suffered. This other party can be another driver, your employer or workplace, the person who owned property if you suffered a slip or fall, or any other person or party deemed to have caused the accident, through their actions, recklessness, or negligence.
Do I Need Evidence?
As part of proving liability of the other party, the injured victim will be required to present specific evidence. This can differ depending on the nature of the incident and the circumstances involved, but may include the following:
- Photographs – photographs of both the location of the accident and any injuries you suffered will both be beneficial in proving your case. As an example, if you suffered a slip or fall, you may include a photograph of the uneven surface or path, showing the reason for your fall. Photos and sketches can also be useful in car accidents, especially when it comes to demonstrating the position of other cars, the weather conditions, or the road layout.
- Written reports – this may include police reports and any official documents, audits or reports which were carried out at the time of the accident. If your injury occurred in the workplace and was the fault of poorly maintained machinery or dangerous equipment, a report stating or outlining this can be useful, along with specifications and clear examples of the malfunction and the way in which it contributed to the accident.
- Medical evidence – this can be useful in situations where the personal injury takes the form of some kind of disease or illness, which is caused by a certain situation. Common examples include being made to handle toxic or hazardous materials in the workplace or being exposed to viruses or illness due to negligence or lack of care.
- Witness statements – witness statements can be instrumental in helping legal experts and courts to fully understand the exact circumstances surrounding an accident and subsequent injury, including the roles of all parties involved, the actions they took, and any event which may have directly contributed to the injuries of the victim. In many cases, witness statements are the key to a successful outcome.
