Cell phones have become an integral part of our lives in today’s digital age. We use them for communication, navigation, and even entertainment. Statistics show that approximately 90 percent of Americans own a cell phone. However, cell phones can also serve another crucial purpose: providing valuable data in car accident cases. The following is a brief overview of the various ways an Outer Banks car accident lawyer can use cell phone data to determine fault and ensure justice is served.
Establishing Timelines
One of the key benefits of using cell phone data in accident cases is its ability to establish accurate timelines of events leading up to the accident. Most modern smartphones come equipped with GPS technology, which can pinpoint a device’s exact location and movement at any given time. By analyzing this data, a sequence of events leading to the accident can be made, helping to determine who was where and when. This can be instrumental in assessing liability.
Providing Evidence of Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a leading cause of accidents. Cell phone records can provide crucial evidence if the accident resulted from texting, calling, or using apps while driving. Call logs, text messages, and data usage records can help establish if the at-fault party was distracted during the accident, making it easier to prove negligence.
Verifying Speed and Acceleration
Smartphones also have accelerometers and other sensors that can provide data on a vehicle’s speed and acceleration. This data can be beneficial in cases where excessive speed or reckless driving is suspected. By analyzing the phone’s sensor data, the vehicle’s speed leading up to the accident can be estimated, corroborating or refuting witness statements.
Tracking Route and Navigation
GPS data from cell phones can also help establish the routes the involved parties took leading up to the accident. This information can be essential in cases involving disputed liability, as it can shed light on whether one party deviated from their usual route or made a sudden, unexpected turn that contributed to the accident.
Documenting Weather Conditions
Weather conditions can play a significant role in accidents. Cell phone data can provide information on the weather during an accident, as many smartphones automatically record weather data when users access location-based services. This information can be essential in understanding how weather conditions may have contributed to the accident.
Corroborating Eyewitness Testimonies
Cell phone data can also be used to corroborate or refute eyewitness testimonies. If a witness claims to have seen one of the involved parties using their phone while driving, call logs and data usage records can provide evidence to support or contradict that testimony. This can be critical in determining the credibility of witnesses.
Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm for Legal Assistance
Cell phone data has become invaluable in accident investigations, providing a wealth of information. Car accident cases often involve conflicting accounts of what happened. Cell phone data can serve as an impartial source of information, helping to resolve disputes and establish the most accurate version of events. This can save time and resources in legal proceedings and ensure a fair and just outcome.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, you need a skilled Outer Banks car accident attorney advocating for you to ensure you get the financial compensation you deserve. Contact Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp to schedule a free case evaluation to find out what legal options you may have. We will work diligently to get you the financial compensation you deserve, like the $125,000 insurance settlement we secured for one client who suffered a nondisplaced right wrist fracture and other soft tissue injuries when another driver ran a red light.
Our OBX personal injury firm serves clients in the Kitty Hawk, Nags Head, and Kill Devil Hills areas.