Oklahoma is an at-fault state when it comes to car accidents. In an at-fault state, the driver who demonstrates negligence during a crash is usually responsible for using their insurance coverage to pay for damages. This may make insurance claims more contentious, as those involved in car accidents attempt to prove others were at fault for crashes.
All this makes proving fault in car accident cases in the Sooner State extremely important. Here are several methods you should use when proving fault in the aftermath of an Oklahoma car accident.
Relying on a Police Report
The first thing you should do following a car accident in Oklahoma is pick up your smartphone and dial 911. Even if a car crash was minor, you should still seek assistance from local police by asking them to complete a full accident investigation.
Following this investigation, you can acquire a copy of the police report that officers put together based on the information they were given. This alone could be enough for those proving fault in car accident cases in Oklahoma, especially if a police report suggests another driver broke traffic laws and caused your crash.
Gathering Statements From Eyewitnesses
People shouldn’t lean solely on police reports when proving fault in car accident cases in Oklahoma. You should also aim to speak with anyone who may have witnessed the wreck to bolster your case further.
Look for any eyewitnesses in the area surrounding your accident scene and ask them to provide their contact information. Your auto insurance company and/or your car accident attorney may wish to speak with them later. Their witness statements could help prove fault following your motor vehicle crash.
Collecting Traffic Camera Footage
Is there a traffic camera in the general vicinity of your accident scene? If there is, any footage captured of the accident could help prove fault.
Gathering this footage on your own might seem like a lost cause, but you can trust your car crash attorney to handle it. They will have years of experience procuring such evidence in a timely manner for their clients.
Taking Photographs and Videos of the Accident Scene
You can play a huge role in proving fault in your Oklahoma car accident case by simply taking out your smartphone and snapping photographs and videos of the accident scene. Make sure you capture any skid marks on the street and other signs that will paint a clear picture of what took place during your crash.
Save these photos and videos of your accident scene on a hard drive where they’ll remain safe until you need them. Perform other evidence collection on the scene of your accident, too, and keep anything that could make your case more compelling.
Working With an Accident Reconstruction Analyst
If proving fault in car accident cases in Oklahoma is more difficult than you anticipated, consider hiring an accident reconstruction analyst to assist you. They can evaluate and reconstruct the evidence related to your car crash using the latest technological tools.
This analyst will establish liability and showcase who was responsible for your crash by breaking down how a car accident happened.
Contact a Trusted Lawyer for Help With Proving Fault in Car Accident Cases in Oklahoma
Do you need a hand with proving fault in a car accident case in Oklahoma? Find the help you need with Bryan Garrett, PLLC. Call us at (405) 972-6931 to schedule a consultation with a seasoned car crash lawyer and hear more about how concepts like comparative negligence could impact your case.