On July 25th, 2024 a 15-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl were among the victims of a speed-related fireball wreck in Castaic.
A 22-year-old man was also killed when, according to investigators, “The driver was unable to negotiate the curve in the roadway, and the vehicle left the roadway and crashed into a tree along the east side of the roadway. The vehicle was split in half, and passengers No.1, No.2, and No.3 were ejected from the vehicle. The vehicle continued and crashed into a light pole and caught fire.”
Charges are pending against the 19-year-old driver, who was seriously injured.
Evidence in a Car Crash Claim
The police accident report, medical bills, and witness statements are the most common bits of evidence in a car crash case. However, some of this evidence may be weak. The police accident report is a good example.
This report is often biased or incomplete, especially in single-vehicle crash cases. Very few drivers deliberately lie to emergency responders. But our minds are not tape recorders. We remember facts selectively. So, in a single-car accident case, the police accident report only contains one driver’s version of the story.
A personal injury lawyer typically uses electronic evidence, like a vehicle’s Event Data Recorder, to supplement the evidence in these cases. The EDR is an onboard computer that, depending on the make and model, measures and records operational data such as:
- Vehicle speed,
- Engine RPM,
- Brake application, and
- Engine RPM.
Assuming the gadget was working properly, a computer is never biased or inaccurate. So, EDR evidence is usually much more compelling than driver-furnished evidence.
The “working properly” element is important in EDR cases. An attorney must carefully collect evidence regarding the device’s maintenance history and lay the proper foundation in court. Otherwise, the judge will exclude EDR evidence.
Finishing a case
If a lawyer diligently builds strong cases, they usually settle out of court. These resolutions benefit everyone, especially victims, if the settlement is fair.
A fair settlement fully compensates a victim for economic losses, such as medical bills, and noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering. The settlement amount must reflect prior and future damages. For example, if Mary is disabled in a car crash, her settlement must reflect her future inability to earn money, as well as her future emotional distress.
Connect With a Great San Diego Law FIrm
Injury victims are entitled to substantial compensation. For a confidential consultation with a car accident lawyer in San Diego, contact the Ozols Law Firm. We routinely handle matters throughout San Diego.