Facts often begin to fade away as soon as a car accident happens. Vehicles will be moved, the conditions of the road will change, and with every telling of the story, people’s memories will start to fade as well. At the same time, insurance companies are beginning to craft their own narratives about what was actually going on when the accident occurred. Legal technology plays an important role in documenting what actually happened before facts can be lost.
This technology assists with objectively maintaining a record of the incident in question. But, technology alone is not sufficient to secure evidence. The interpretation of data collected from technology and its presentation to protect your claim, requires an experienced car accident lawyer.
Dash Cams
Dashcam video/audio has become the primary piece of evidence to prove liability in car accidents. Unlike witness statements, the dash cam does not rely on memory or opinion. Dash cams record the exact moment of impact, the speed and direction of the cars, traffic signals, lane markings and signs, and road conditions.
Furthermore, most dash cams also record GPS and timestamps, which will assist with pattern location and timing verification. If there is a dispute between two parties over fault, the dash cam tape will verify the parties in the dispute.
Dashcam records need to be preserved properly to avoid loss of the footage, either by erasing or overwriting it. In St. Louis, having a dashcam can really help when it comes to recording accident events. Consult a St. Louis car crash attorney who understands how to preserve the original video, verify its authenticity, and make certain it can be put to use either when attempting to negotiate a settlement or at trial.
Accident Reconstruction Software: Making the Crash Understandable
Accident reconstruction software is an especially valuable tool when an accident is complex or there is a dispute over liability. By combining physical evidence from the crash scene and data extracted from the involved vehicles, accident reconstruction software can recreate the events leading up to the accident, including vehicle speeds at the point of impact and the angle of the impact. Accident reconstruction tools allow you to:
- Analyze the speed and braking of the involved vehicle
- Identify the points and angles of impact
- Calculate the forces generated by the collision and the dynamics of the collision
- Determine if the collision could have been prevented
Creating a visual model of the reconstruction allows the parties involved to better understand how the accident occurred. Because this type of evidence is based on empirical data and factual representations rather than speculation or inconclusive opinion testimony, insurance adjusters and juries are more likely to give it significant weight in their decision-making process.
The attorney works with accident reconstruction specialists to provide clear, accurate, and legally admissible findings in order to support the client’s case rather than create confusion or impede the case.
Digital Evidence Tools
Digital evidence platforms, which are considered legal technology, help preserve and organize digital evidence. Digital evidence platforms help to maintain the integrity, validity, and traceability of evidence collected by law enforcement, insurance companies, and private parties. Digital tools can store and organize the following types of data:
- Pictures and videos with accurate timestamps
- Car black box and event data recorder information
- Surveillance footage from surrounding areas
- Emergency response documentation and GPS tracking
Documenting how each piece of evidence is collected and stored is vital to maintain the integrity, validity, and traceability of digital evidence. If evidence collection doesn’t maintain a well-defined chain of custody, the evidence will be questioned or dismissed. A car crash attorney will ensure proper processes are followed to preserve the integrity of the evidence in the event there is litigation.
Hiring a Lawyer Is Important
While technology can help collect factual information, it cannot explain or advocate for you. Data collected by technology and reviewed by an insurance company representative can be misinterpreted, selectively interpreted, or downplayed by the insurance company to minimize the amount of money the insurance company has to pay out. A competent car crash attorney will:
- Recognize that not all evidence is equal
- Engage with the appropriate technical experts to validate the findings in the digital evidence
- Translate complex data into easily understood legal arguments
- Fight back against misleading interpretations
That’s why many injured drivers will consult a St. Louis car accident attorney who can use their legal experience in combination with modern evidence collection tools.
Combine Technology With Legal strategy
The world of legal technology has changed the way evidence is collected and preserved after car accidents. Dash cameras, accident reconstruction software, and digital evidence systems assist in capturing the reality of what happened before that truth fades away. However, those tools will only provide full value when they are used in accordance with the appropriate legal plan.
Having both reliable evidence gathering technology and an experienced lawyer at the time of an accident can make or break a plaintiff’s ability to recover from the car accident and secure a future free from financial devastation.
