In Gwinnett County motorcycle accident cases that arise from motorcycle accidents, the defendant (the person or entity who allegedly caused the accident) doesn’t need to prove anything. Instead, the accident victim has the burden of proving fault and damages for the accident.
Some of the most critical pieces of potential evidence in Gwinnett County motorcycle accident cases (especially those that go all the way to trial) include:
- Police reports – In motorcycle accident cases where the defendant’s insurance carrier disputes liability, the police report becomes a crucial piece of evidence. The police report will include the names and contact information for all of the individuals who were involved in the accident, including motor vehicle operators (and the owners of those vehicles). Many police reports also note the driver(s) whom the police officer deems to be at fault for the accident, as well as whether or not the officer issued a citation to the at-fault individual at the accident scene.
- Medical records and bills – When it comes to proving damages in your Gwinnett County motorcycle accident case, medical records and statements become crucial pieces of evidence. Your medical records (along with doctor testimony at a personal injury trial) demonstrate that there is a causal connection between your motorcycle accident and the injuries you sustained. Your medical bills can establish the cost of the treatment, procedures, and medication that was necessary for your recovery. If your accident case goes to trial, your lawyer may introduce all of your treatment medical records and bills for the jury to review in their entirety during deliberations.
- Eyewitnesses to the accident – Eyewitnesses to a Gwinnett County motorcycle accident are invaluable when a case goes to trial. These individuals were at the scene when the accident occurred and can state first-hand what they witnessed. For example, an eyewitness to a motorcycle accident can testify to relevant matters, including the approximate speeds of the involved vehicles, the positions of those vehicles, the locations of traffic control devices, and how the collision happened. Eyewitnesses to motorcycle accidents become especially important when the insurance company disputes the issue of fault.
- Healthcare providers – Healthcare providers, and most especially treating doctors, are important witnesses when it comes to evaluating a motorcycle accident case and determining the true extent of an accident victim’s injuries. Medical experts can testify about all of the treatment that the accident victim underwent, whether or not the injuries resulted from the accident, whether the treatment was medically necessary, whether the cost of the treatment was appropriate for the geographical region where the accident happened, whether the accident victim sustained one or more permanent injuries in the accident, and whether the accident victim is likely to need a medical procedure (such as surgery) at some time in the future. If a future medical procedure seems likely, a medical expert can render an opinion about the anticipated cost of that treatment and the likelihood that it will be successful under the circumstances.
