The application of modern technology has already made a long-lasting impact on the way we live our lives and this trend is not expected to stop anytime soon. In addition to our daily routines and tasks, it has also changed the way most industries and professions conduct their business. Just like many other professions, the legal field has also become much more efficient in the last few years by leveraging the benefits of technology.
Legal experts from Acheson Sweeny Foley Sahota LLP claim that the use of technological innovations allows today’s personal injury law firms to provide the best possible results to their clients in many different ways.
Technology and Distracted Driving:
Distracted driving is one of the foremost causes of accidents leading to different types of personal injuries. When it comes to distracted driving, the role of technology is somewhat mixed. It is true that distracted driving has become more prevalent with the use of mobile phones, iPods, GPS trackers, etc. However, at the same time, technology helps the accident lawyers identify the responsible party by accessing mobile phone records and finding out the activities of the suspects at the time of the accident.
Technology and Proving Fault:
Technology can be used in many different ways by personal injury lawyers to determine fault for injuries caused by someone else. In addition to accessing mobile phone records as mentioned earlier, the at-fault party for an accident can also be determined with the help of security camera footage. With the increasing use of surveillance cameras around the world, personal injury cases are often benefited by this technology.
Just like black boxes in aircraft, many personal automobiles now have assembly lines equipped with data recorders. With the help of these devices, it is possible to find out the vehicle’s speed, braking power, turning speed, etc. during an accident. Using information and data from an accident report, it is also possible to reconstruct accidents with the help of software. This can provide a clear picture of the accident in front of the court of law.
Technology and Accessing Personal Injury Claims:
Assessment of a personal injury claim value is generally a long and painful process for the insurance companies and lawyers. With the advent of artificial intelligence, some of the world’s largest insurance providers have started using this technological marvel to evaluate the claims within a fraction of the time it took earlier. Artificial intelligence is also being used to analyze audio files, videos, documents, and images. This technology makes it possible to go through thousands of motor vehicle accident reports, medical reports, and medical documents to accurately calculate a claim’s payout in a quick time.
Technology and the Courtroom:
In order to conclusively prove the cases of their clients in the courtroom, many personal injury lawyers have now started making use of advanced technology tools. Recently, a Fitbit was used by the lawyers of the plaintiff to establish that their client was less active compared to average women of the same level of fitness and age after a car accident. The data from Fitbit was used by the judge as concrete quantifiable data and determine the plaintiff’s pain and suffering damage award. Fitbit not only strengthened the case of the plaintiff but also reduced legal costs and court time.
Final Thoughts:
There is no doubt that the legal profession will continue to adopt technology with increasing regularity in the near future. However, this changing trend will not make an experienced and skilled personal injury lawyer any less important in the overall system. It is true that the lawyers now have a highly efficient tool to use. However, a successful outcome in a case would still require a lawyer’s knowledge, hard work, and attention to detail.
