What Is the Burden of Proof in a Personal Injury Case?

In personal injury cases, for one side to be deemed at fault for an injury, the plaintiff must meet something known as the burden of proof. If you have been hurt in an accident, whether it is a car accident or slip and fall, understanding how to prove the damages you have suffered is critical. To learn more, keep reading and contact us to speak with our Irvine personal injury lawyers.

What Is the Burden of Proof?

In personal injury matters, the burden of proof lies on the plaintiff. Generally, if you are injured and you are seeking compensation, you must provide sufficient evidence to meet your burden of proof known as the “preponderance of the evidence” standard. This standard means you must prove that your claim is more likely true than not. Simply put, you must prove that there is a 51% or greater chance that your claim is true. This is a much lower standard of proof than others used in criminal matters. However, just because the burden is lower does not mean it is easy to meet.

What Do I Need to Fulfill the Burden of Proof?

If you are the plaintiff in a personal injury case, you must fulfill the burden of proof in order to recover compensation for the injuries you sustained in an accident. For example, if you are injured in a car crash, you must prove that the other driver was responsible. You must compile evidence to help support your argument. This includes:

• Police reports
• Photos of the accident scene
• Damage to your vehicle
• Eyewitness testimony
• Footage of the accident

Should I Contact a Lawyer if I am Injured?

When involved in any kind of personal injury case, it is in your best interest to connect with an attorney. Though you may have the necessary evidence, you may not know how to best present this in court or properly build an argument around the documentation you have. As such, working with a personal injury attorney can help you collect evidence and work to present your case to help give you the best chance of a favorable outcome.

If you have further questions about your case or are looking to file a personal injury claim, do not hesitate to contact an experienced attorney from California Personal Injury Law Firm, APC. Our team will work to help build your case to fight for the compensation you deserve and need to heal.