The Ultimate Guide to Documenting a Car Accident

When an accident happens, it's quite common to feel confused and overwhelmed with pain and emotions. However, the actions you take immediately after the accident can mean the difference between getting fairly compensated and dealing with the resulting losses out of pocket.

One of the best ways to ensure you get compensated after filing a car accident claim is by collecting relevant evidence. Car accident lawyers collect physical evidence, but they may not always get there on time, which means you have to take matters into your own hands.

In this article, we'll go over some of the key pieces of evidence you should collect after an accident and how to go about it.

Why Is It So Important to Collect Evidence After a Car Crash?

Personal injury cases aren't always clear-cut as they're purported to be. They're full of legalities and other complexities that could make it difficult to bring a successful case to court. While having a reliable attorney could increase your chances of getting compensated, even the best attorney couldn't be much help without the right evidence to back your claim.

The reasoning behind this is pretty straightforward: evidence proves fault. The evidence you collect can be used to recreate the accident, making it easier to prove who was responsible for the crash, as well as the injuries and property damage suffered as a result of the crash.

What Types of Evidence Should You Collect After a Car Accident?

Any piece of evidence you collect after an accident could help increase the success of your claim. However, some pieces of evidence bear more weight than others. Some of the most crucial pieces of evidence to collect include:

Police Reports

If you're not seriously injured, the police should be your first call immediately after a car crash. Besides the obvious benefits of making sure you're okay and calling emergency services on your behalf if need be, police officers could also investigate the accident scene and collect important evidence that could help strengthen your claim.

For instance, they collect witness statements, take photos of the accident scene, and use the information at hand to determine fault.

However, talking to the police after an accident may require some tact. This is not to mean that you should be uncooperative or deceive them, but rather, you shouldn't incriminate yourself. Incriminating yourself in such a scenario could be anything from saying you're sorry about the accident to admitting that you were distracted.

Through all this, the police will record everything you say and make a report. You should make sure to get a copy of this statement, as you can use it as evidence when filing a claim with your insurance company.

Witness Statements

Witness statements provide additional information about the circumstances leading to the crash and can also support your claims about who was at fault.

When talking to witnesses, make sure to:

1. Get their contact information: While not everyone may be willing to give you their contact information, it doesn't hurt to try. Chances are that you'll find a few people willing to help. When talking to them, remember to get important details like their full name, phone number, and email address.
2. Ask them to give a statement: After getting their contact information, ask them if they would be willing to give a witness statement. If they agree, make sure to record their statement, either with a recording device or written notes. You should also ask them to review the statement and sign it to verify its accuracy.
3. Follow up with them: It is always important to follow up with the witnesses to thank them for their assistance. They may also have some additional information they may be willing to share.

Photographs and Videos

Remember when they said a picture is worth a thousand words? Well, that notion very much applies to post-accident evidence collection. Pictures and videos can help establish the positions of the vehicles, the damage sustained, and the nature of the surrounding environment.

When taking photographs and videos, take note of the following areas:

1. The overall scene: Take a step back and record the entire car crash, including all vehicles involved, the position of the cars, and any road markings made by the colliding vehicles.
2. Vehicle damage: Here, you need to take photos of the exact damage to the vehicle, including any dents, scratches, and broken lights.
3. Injuries: If you or any other person who was in the car with you is injured, you need to take pictures and videos of any cuts, bruises, or visible signs of trauma. If you are unable to do it, you can ask bystanders and other witnesses to help.

Medical Records

Medical records go a long way in providing evidence for injuries sustained during the crash. They can also demonstrate the extent of the pain and suffering incurred by the victim, the medical treatment required, and the medical costs associated with the injuries, including the cost of ongoing treatment.

To get medical records, you first have to get treated for your injuries. Your preferred health center will create a file under your name detailing the treatments you receive. You should also ask for a copy of these records to serve as crucial pieces of evidence in determining your total compensation.

Collect as Much Evidence as You Can

Getting into a car crash can be a traumatic experience. It could also cost you a lot of money in repairs and medical costs. To increase your chances of getting compensated and recouping some of those losses, you should collect as much evidence as possible to support your claims. You should also seek the help of an experienced attorney who will represent you in court if need be.