It’s easy to become complacent behind the wheel if you drive regularly, but one collision is all it takes to derail your life and future plans. If you were hurt or lost someone close to you in a crash that another party caused, our Santa Barbara car accident attorneys can help you pursue compensation for all resulting damages. The medical bills and lost income following a serious collision can add up to a veritable fortune, but the at-fault party may be liable for these costs as well as any non-economic damages you incur. Our lawyers can perform a meticulous investigation and gather the evidence needed to pursue the highest settlement possible. For a free consultation, call us today at 1-800-GO-HARRIS.

Our Santa Barbara Car Accident Attorneys Represent These Accident Claims

• DUI Car Accidents
• Distracted Driving Collisions
• Accidents Involving Unsafe Road Conditions
• Multi-Vehicle Pileup Accidents
• Accidents Involving Commercial Trucks
• Bus Accidents
• Accidents Involving Scooters or Pedestrians
• Rideshare Vehicle Accidents
• Turo Vehicle Accidents
• Accidents Involving Catastrophic Injury
• Accidents Related to Defective Parts
• Accidents Resulting in Wrongful Death
• Other Car Accident Cases

What Evidence Might Contribute to My Case?

While there are steps you can take that might increase your chances of recovering a fair settlement, the outcome of your claim will ultimately be determined by the strength of your evidence. The vast majority of car accident claims are filed on the basis of negligence. In order to prevail in such a case, you must be able to prove:

• A duty of care existed;
• The duty of care was breached by the defendant;
• The breach of duty caused damages; and
• The value of damages incurred.

Below are a few examples of evidence that your Santa Barbara car accident lawyer might use to prove these elements:

• The Police Report: Chances are a police officer attended the scene if there was significant property damage, an injury, or death. The report created by this officer will be essential for proving that a duty of care existed, the duty of care was breached, and the breach resulted in damages. For example, the report should list all drivers involved in the crash, and it’s likely that one of those drivers breached the duty of care owed to you (or to your deceased loved one) in some way, and that this breach was the actual or proximate cause of the accident. The police report may provide insight into what led to the collision and might even include the officer’s opinions regarding liability. It should also mention whether anyone suffered injuries or died in the crash.
• Medical Records: There are several reasons why it’s a good idea to visit a hospital or clinic immediately after leaving the scene. Not only could a prompt diagnosis and treatment improve the outcome of your medical care, but seeking treatment right away may help your Santa Barbara car accident attorney prove causation—i.e. that the defendant’s breach of duty caused your damages. Medical records will also be needed to prove the value of healthcare costs, and they might be used to pursue non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.
• Financial Records: Any records of your income prior to the accident can help your lawyer prove lost income and perhaps lost earning capacity.
• Expert Witness Testimony: Your attorney may bring in medical, financial, and accident reconstruction experts to provide deposition and testimony. While the testimony of medical and financial experts may be used to prove the severity of injuries, cost of care, and value of lost earning capacity, the testimony of an accident reconstruction expert may be used to prove how the crash happened.
• Eyewitness Testimony: Deposition and testimony from eyewitnesses may help to corroborate other evidence and overcome disputes.
• Photos and Video Footage: Human memory is far from perfect. It’s not uncommon for two drivers to dispute pertinent facts regarding the cause of an accident or the resulting property damage and injuries. Photos and video footage can help resolve these disputes or prevent them from arising in the first place. Your car accident attorney can visit the crash scene to find out if any nearby surveillance cameras filmed the incident.
• Receipts and Invoices: Any receipts, invoices, and other documentation you have of the accident- or injury-related expenses can be used to prove damages.
• Other Evidence: There are countless types of evidence your attorney might use to strengthen your claim. Depending on the circumstances, valuable evidence may include black box data from one of the vehicles involved, auto part recall data, or records of road maintenance.

Schedule a Free Case Review with a Car Accident Lawyer in Santa Barbara

If you have questions about your car accident case, call 1-800-GO-HARRIS to speak with an attorney at Harris Personal Injury Lawyers. You can also reach us online via our contact form. The initial consultation is free, and we accept cases on a contingency fee basis. Our phone line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.