Crary, Clark & Domanico guides victims through the claims process when they’re in a car accident in Spokane. There’s a lot that comes with a car accident, and that includes the various pieces of evidence you need to show who was at-fault. Our experienced Spokane car accident lawyers can help you with gathering and showing this evidence, then support your claim against whoever was responsible. Contact us today for a free consultation to get started.
What Types of Evidence Can I Use to Prove a Driver is At-Fault For My Car Accident?
The starting point of any car accident claim is figuring out who’s at-fault for the accident. Sometimes, this is pretty easy to do, but other times, it’s extremely complicated. Legally speaking, though, the way to prove fault is to show negligence. This means showing:
- The other person had a duty to drive safely.
- They failed to do so (by speeding, texting, etc.)
- Their actions directly caused the accident in question, as well as your injuries.
While this is the legal standard for proving fault, it can be difficult to do in practice–especially when there’s a lot of different people and other factors involved. Still, there’s common pieces of evidence that you’ll be able to use to show this:
- Pictures and videos – Pictures and videos you take of the scene, vehicle damage, injuries, road signs, or skid marks can help paint a clear picture of what happened.
- Witness statements – People who saw the accident can offer valuable third-party accounts, and can back up your story when it comes to what happened.
- Dashcam or other video footage – If video footage is available, this can show exactly how the crash happened.
- Medical records – These link your injuries directly to the accident and help show how serious they are.
- Damage reports – These help demonstrate the force and angle of the impact.
- Phone records – If your accident happens because the other driver was on their phone at the time, you can use their phone records to pinpoint the exact time they were using the phone and the resulting collision.
- Accident reconstruction reports – In complex cases, we can help you find accident reconstruction experts to analyze the crash to determine what likely happened and who’s at fault.
Every car accident case is different, so the right mix of evidence depends on the details. Generally, the more thorough the documentation, the stronger your claim will be. But this brings up another question: how do you get this evidence?
What Can I Do After a Car Accident to Strengthen My Claim?
The steps you take right after a car accident in Spokane can make a big difference in how strong your injury claim is–and is vital to collecting solid evidence. Whether the crash happened on I-90, near Gonzaga, or on a snowy stretch of Division Street, here’s what you should do to protect yourself and your claim:
- Call 911 – Your health always comes first. Call 911 and ask for an ambulance if anyone is hurt. Even if you feel okay, let the EMTs check you out. Some injuries–like whiplash or internal trauma–don’t show symptoms right away.
- Ask for police – Ask the 911 dispatcher to send Spokane Police, the Washington State Patrol, or the Spokane County Sheriff—depending on where the crash happened. Officers will investigate and create an official accident report, which can be critical for your claim.
- Gather evidence – If you can do so safely, take photos and videos of everything from damage to all vehicles to weather conditions. This kind of visual proof helps show what happened and who was at fault.
- Exchange information with others involved – Get the other driver’s name, phone number, license plate, and insurance info. If there are any witnesses around–like nearby drivers or pedestrians–try to get their contact information too. If tensions are high or you feel unsafe, let police handle the information exchange.
- Be clear and honest – Whether you’re talking to the police or an insurance adjuster, stick to the facts. Don’t guess or exaggerate what happened, and never admit fault at the scene. Simply describe what you saw and went through.
Even though it’s stressful, staying calm and taking these steps can make a huge difference when it’s time to file your claim. The more solid your evidence, the better your chances of recovering the full financial support that’s available to you when you do file. And remember, our team will be there to help you from start to finish.
Contact CCD Law After a Spokane Car Accident
After a car accident in Spokane, it’s important to know that you do have legal options—but getting the financial support you need isn’t always simple. Every accident is different, and what you can recover depends on the specifics of your accident and how badly you were hurt. So, when you file your injury claim through insurance or with a lawsuit, the goal is the same: to recover damages that cover everything you’ve lost because of the accident. That can include:
- Medical bills (emergency care, follow-ups, rehab, etc.)
- Car repair or replacement costs
- Lost wages if you had to miss work
- Future income if your injuries affect your ability to work
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Funeral and burial costs, in cases involving wrongful death
These damages don’t come automatically. You’ll need strong evidence and a clear case that shows how the accident happened, who was at fault, and how your life has been affected. That’s where our team can step in and help. We’ll explain your options, gather evidence with you, then guide you through the claims process and fight to get the financial support you need to get better. Don’t wait–contact us today for a free consultation and let’s talk about your options.
