Liability coverage is the legal minimum and only pays for damage and injuries you cause to others. Full coverage is a common term for a policy that includes liability plus coverage for your own vehicle, specifically Comprehensive and Collision. If you cause an accident, liability pays for the other driver’s repairs, while your Collision coverage would pay to fix your own car. If you have a loan or lease, your lender will require “full coverage” to protect their financial interest in the vehicle.

You prove it by gathering and presenting clear evidence. This includes photographs of the hazard or accident scene, official reports (like police or incident reports), witness statements, expert testimony (e.g., from an accident reconstruction specialist), and maintenance records. This evidence must collectively tell a clear story: the defendant created an unreasonable risk or failed in a duty of care, and that specific failure directly caused your specific injuries.

Evidence of your prior condition provides a baseline to measure the impact of the incident. Gather recent photos and videos showing your mobility and lifestyle, records of hobbies or activities, and past employment performance reviews. Medical records from before the event are vital to prove pre-existing conditions were not aggravated. This “before” picture powerfully contrasts with your “after” condition, proving the specific losses in your quality of life, abilities, and enjoyment.