Auto accidents are unfortunate incidents that occur every day. Dallas, Georgia, is not exempt from places where accidents happen. As of December 2020, there were 1,600 deaths by accident on the state’s roadway. A significant increase from 994 recorded in 2018.
The statistics are disheartening, and it doesn’t help that auto accidents result in injury claims. This is why you must understand how car accidents happen and how you can prove that you are not at fault. Georgia is a fault state, meaning that the party who is negligent in a car accident bears the liabilities.
Therefore, you need to prove you’re not at fault for the accident. Our Dallas car accident lawyers can help you with this if you contact us today.
Common Causes of Accidents in Dallas
Car accidents can occur at any time, place, and involve anybody. However, the volume of traffic can impact negatively or positively on car accidents frequency. In 2017, Georgia was the fourth state with the highest number of fatalities in the US. As the 8th largest state in the US, the number of auto crashes is very high.
Significant causes of car accidents in the state include:
- Over speeding
- Running of traffic light
- Tailgating
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs
- Failure to stay in lane and changing of lanes while it’s unsafe
- Failure to yield while turning left, at a stop sign, and while in a private driveway
How Do You Prove You Are Not At Fault in a Dallas Auto Accident?
You need evidence to show that you are not the at-fault party in a car accident. Below are the different types of evidence you should gather after an auto accident:
Photographs of the Scene of the Accident
Photographs are critical to proving fault after a car accident. If you were not injured in a car crash and can walk around, take pictures of the scene. Take photos from different angles to show:
- Any injuries you may have sustained
- The condition and position of all the vehicles involved in the accident
- Debris from the crash, broken glasses, or skid marks
- Any construction work or road defects that may have contributed to the crash
- Traffic control devices, if any, at the crash site
Testimony From Witnesses
Witness testimony is essential to proving fault in a car accident. If you are not too injured to speak to people at the car accident site, get information. Take the contact information of pedestrians and other drivers who may have witnessed the accident or events leading to it. Testimony from eyewitnesses is often more objective and helpful in making your case.
Police Report
Another thing that helps to prove fault in a car accident is a police report. Police reports are public records and carry valuable information. It shows the responding officer’s assessment of the incident. Get the personal data of the responding officer, such as name and badge number. The officer may tell you how to obtain a copy of the report.
Medical Records
No matter how minor or severe you think your injuries are, you must seek medical attention immediately. Some damages like concussions, brain injury, and internal bleeding are not obvious. A medical professional gives an assessment to tell the severity of any injuries. Your medical records serve as evidence of the injuries you sustained.
What Happens After a Car Accident?
After an accident, you need to talk to an auto accident attorney in Dallas. Your attorney gathers and analyses the evidence from the accident and submits a settlement demand to the other driver’s insurer. After your attorney makes the settlement demand, one of three things would happen.
The at-fault party’s insurance company accepts fault and makes a reasonable offer for settlement. Alternatively, the at-fault party’s insurer denies liability or takes responsibility but fails to make a fair offer.
Most car accident cases in Dallas often get resolved through settlement. However, if you and your attorney are not satisfied with what the at-fault party’s insurer is offering, you can go to trial. When you go to trial, all the evidence used for the settlement process gets presented to a jury. The jury then decides fault based on your attorney’s argument and the evidence presented.
Get Yourself a Dallas Auto Accident Attorney Today!
The aftermath of a car accident can be stressful and traumatic. Therefore, it would be best to get an experienced attorney who will give the best arguments for your case. Whether you accept a settlement or choose to go to trial, an experienced auto accident attorney is who you need to get you the best outcome. Contact us at The Weinstein Firm today.
