As the party seeking financial damages, the plaintiff has the burden of proof, which means you and your lawyer must provide the evidence to prove that your allegations are true. Many people are familiar with the requirement to prove a case "beyond a reasonable doubt," which is the standard used in a criminal trial. The standard is lower in a personal injury case, because you are seeking a payment, not seeking to punish someone or to put someone in prison. Plaintiffs in personal injury trials must prove their cases "by a preponderance of the evidence," which means the facts you are alleging are more likely than not.