To win a personal injury case, you must prove four elements of negligence. Causation is the third element. It shows the connection between the at-fault party’s reckless or negligent act and your injuries and damages.
At Piedmont Injury Law, we help clients understand key concepts like causation in personal injury cases. Contact a Kennesaw personal injury lawyer from our firm to discuss your case. Your first consultation is free.
What role does causation have in a personal injury case?
To prove negligence, your lawyer must establish the following:
- The at-fault party owed you a duty of care, meaning they had a legal obligation to avoid actions or behaviors that could harm others.
- The at-fault party breached this duty by failing to act responsibly.
- This breach directly caused the accident that led to your injuries and losses.
- The accident resulted in measurable damages.
For example, if a driver runs a red light and hits your car, the driver’s actions caused the crash. However, if the traffic light malfunctioned, the fault may lie with the agency responsible for maintaining the light. Your attorney will identify the cause of the accident and hold the appropriate party accountable.
How can you show causation in a personal injury case?
Your attorney will gather evidence to prove that the at-fault party’s actions caused your injuries. This often involves applying the “but-for” test. This test asks whether your injuries would have occurred but for the at-fault party’s breach of duty. Evidence may include:
- Photos or video from the accident scene: These may come from witnesses, traffic cameras, or nearby surveillance footage.
- Official accident reports: Depending on where the accident happened, law enforcement or property owners may have filed these reports.
- Witness testimony: Your lawyer can interview witnesses to preserve their accounts while memories are fresh.
- Input from accident reconstruction experts: These professionals analyze vehicle accidents to determine how they happened.
- Medical records and expert opinions: Doctors and other medical experts can explain how the accident caused your injuries and describe your prognosis and ongoing care needs.
What are the results of proving causation in a personal injury case?
When you prove causation, you can recover financial compensation for your losses. Economic damages cover expenses such as medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. Non-economic damages provide compensation for pain, suffering, and emotional distress. Our team will work to secure the full amount you deserve.
Our team will work to prove causation in your personal injury case
You deserve compensation if someone’s reckless or negligent actions caused your injuries. A Kennesaw personal injury lawyer from Piedmont Injury Law will fight for the maximum amount possible. Call (678) 909-0770 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.