Car accidents continue to be a primary safety threat for motorists across the US, and the problem even hits close to home in Florida. According to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), there are around 72,000 people hurt in auto collisions throughout South Florida, a figure that includes Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties. Many of these victims suffered injuries so serious that they were immediately transported to local trauma centers for emergency treatment.
While urgent medical care is a priority, being rushed to the hospital does create a dilemma for victims of motor vehicle crashes: They cannot remain at the scene to gather the evidence that is essential for purposes of legal remedies. Fortunately, there are strategies for collecting proof, and a Miami car accidents attorney can tackle investigations. However, you should be aware of some key sources of evidence when you are taken from the site of a crash.
- Occupants of Your Vehicle: If you were traveling with friends or family, you may need to rely on these individuals to collect evidence for you. Cell phone cameras are the best way to capture damage to the vehicles, traffic signage, physical conditions at the scene, weather, vehicle skid marks, and related factors.
- Surveillance Cameras: Businesses in close proximity of the collision could be a source of evidence if they have installed cameras for security purposes. These recordings from stores, offices, restaurants, and other businesses may show how the other driver caused the accident.
- Vehicle Black Boxes: More auto manufacturers are equipping their vehicles with electronic data recorders (EDRs) that track various factors in the seconds before, during, and after an impact. From these so-called “black boxes,” you can assess each vehicle’s speed, rate of acceleration, braking actions, and other information that could be important for proving fault.
- Other Witnesses: If you were able to instruct occupants of your vehicle on collecting evidence, make sure to request that they obtain contact information from any witnesses who observed the collision. The input for these individuals – as unrelated, neutral witnesses – is often viewed as more credible because they have no stake in the claim.
- Private Investigators: You can hire an individual with a background in investigations to probe the accident in which you were injured, such as a former law enforcement officer or detective. Most victims in your position do not have business relationships with private investigators, which is where your car accident lawyer can serve as a valuable asset. Attorneys work with these professionals often and maintain connections for just this reason.
Our Miami Car Accidents Lawyers Will Assist With Investigations
Your situation may seem grim when you are not able to gather evidence at the scene, but you can trust our team at Gerson & Schwartz, PA to fill the gaps through our investigative efforts. For more information on your legal rights and remedies, please contact us to set up a no-cost consultation. Our attorneys serve auto crash victims throughout South Florida from our offices in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach.