Siloam Springs, AR Car Accident Lawyer
Motor vehicle accidents are costly for victims, and our lawyers can help them recover the damages they need by bringing claims against negligent drivers.
While victims are still at car accident scenes in Siloam Springs, they should try to photograph any debris on the road, damage to their car, and injuries to their person. Always call the police, as law enforcement can assist with collecting such information. When you leave the scene, go to the emergency room and focus on your medical recovery. As you do this, our attorneys can identify potential sources of security footage, interview eyewitnesses, and retain expert witnesses to assist with your case. We will then put this evidence to use, whether by leveraging it over the defendant during settlement negotiations or by using it to convince the jury of the defendant’s likely fault during a trial.
To get a free and confidential case review from our car accident lawyers, call (479) 316-0438 now.
Evidence to Preserve at the Scene of a Car Accident in Siloam Springs, AR
Car accidents typically leave considerable damage and debris in their wake, which victims can document by photographing it. The accident site may only remain intact for a short time, and taking pictures can ensure our lawyers and experts have images to refer to when preparing your claim.
After the collision, look around for any potential tire marks on the road or indications of an accident, like a broken taillight or glass on the street. Take clear pictures of your car and where the other driver struck it, as an accident reconstruction expert can use those pictures to settle important facts, such as the speed and direction of travel for both vehicles during the accident.
The visual impact of physical injuries before medical treatment can be effective in motor vehicle accident claims, so take pictures of injuries at the scene. If you need help photographing your injuries or the area in general, ask for help from first responders.
Though police reports are typically inadmissible in lawsuits for car accidents in Arkansas, victims do need to report accidents that result in bodily injury. When you call 911, law enforcement can document the scene and collect important information in a report, like the involved driver’s name and insurance details, which our lawyers can refer to as we prepare your claim.
Evidence to Gather After You Leave a Car Accident Site in Siloam Springs, AR
After leaving a crash site, victims should go to the nearest emergency room to get medically evaluated. As you get the necessary immediate treatment, our lawyers can focus on collecting crucial evidence at risk of getting lost or degraded with time.
Medical Records
Victims’ main priorities should be their physical health. Car crashes cause a wide range of injuries, including permanent head, back, and spine injuries, that might need surgery or other specialized care. Each time you go to the hospital or visit with a specialist regarding your accident injuries, you will continue to build medical records proving those injuries exist, as well as their cost to treat.
Video Footage
When accidents happen near businesses or homes with surveillance systems, our attorneys can contact the owners and ask for copies of footage from the time of the accident. If the footage is clear, it might show the defendant acting negligently and striking your car in Siloam Springs. Because video footage can greatly strengthen claims, our car accident lawyers will promptly investigate whether or not any exists so that it does not get deleted before we can access it.
Witness Statements
In the days following a collision, contacting eyewitnesses is crucial so their memories do not fade. After referencing the police report, we can call witnesses and interview them to preserve their statements. If your case goes to court, eyewitnesses might testify and give their firsthand accounts of the defendant’s negligence in causing the accident.
We can also identify potential expert witnesses who could assist with your case, such as medical experts who can explain the long-term treatment you will need, which can help you recover future medical damages and other losses.
Using Evidence in Car Accident Lawsuits in Siloam Springs, AR
After investigating and preparing your case with the necessary evidence in Siloam Springs, we can file your lawsuit. Once we do, settlement negotiations might follow.
Settlement negotiations are informal compared to trials, and our lawyers will use evidence as leverage during discussions to convince the defendant to settle at a higher amount. Though you do not need to meet a standard of proof to settle a case fairly in Siloam Springs, preparing your case for the possibility of a trial is important, as that will likely give you the upper hand when entering into negotiations.
When lawsuits go to trial, our lawyers will formally present evidence to the jury, including medical records, pictures from the scene, surveillance footage, eyewitness statements, and expert testimony, and have an opportunity to undermine the negligent driver’s defense, whatever that might be. Because settlement negotiations typically take place for some time before trials commence, our lawyers may be able to gauge the opposite side’s defense during this time and proceed accordingly.
For example, if, during negotiations, the defendant claims that you contributed to the accident, that might indicate that they plan to use a comparative fault defense. Under Ark. Code. § 16-64-122, a plaintiff’s recovery is barred if they are found to be 50% or more at fault. Plaintiffs who are less than 50% at fault can sue, but their compensation will be reduced proportionally. If necessary, our lawyers can address a comparative fault defense through accident reconstruction and eyewitness statements, with the goal of ensuring your full financial recovery from a car crash in Siloam Springs.
Call Our Lawyers in Siloam Springs, AR About Your Car Accident Case
Call (479) 316-0438 for a free case review from our car accident lawyers.