In the aftermath of a car crash, gathering evidence is a smart move. This becomes even more crucial if the accident wasn’t your fault, or if you’re unsure about whose fault it was. Being prepared with evidence can make a significant difference in your case and ensure that you protect your rights.
Of course, your safety always comes first. Before doing anything further, make sure that no one at the scene requires immediate medical attention. Call 9-1-1- if necessary!
Some examples of car crash evidence you could work to gather includes:
1. Photos. Pictures are objective, and they tell stories. The camera on your phone works perfectly fine for this purpose. Plus, photos taken from your phone may add crucial time and location data. We recommend you take more photos than you think you’ll need. Photos to take include: ID cards, license plates, all angles of the scene and vehicles, plus any of your injuries. Don’t forget contextual photos too, such as skid marks, weather, intersections, etc. Also, remember to take pictures of any visible injuries.
2. Witnesses. If anyone witnessed the accident, make sure to ask for their name and contact information.
3. Police report. Depending on the severity of the collision, police may arrive. If they do, they will create a report. Make sure to ask for a copy as the report may be valuable evidence for your claim.
4. Doctor’s report. We always encourage our clients to get evaluated as quickly as possible following a crash. Doctors provide objective evaluations that can corroborate your injury claim. Besides this, you might not know the extent of your injuries without getting seen.
5. Video footage. Increasingly, more drivers have dash cams or other devices installed. If you do, make sure that any footage of your collision is saved. Occasionally, there may be other surveillance of the accident depending on where it took place.
If you’ve been hurt in a car crash that wasn’t your fault, reach out to a personal injury lawyer. They can help collect valuable evidence and negotiate a settlement on your behalf.
It’s always free to reach out to our attorneys. Give us a call today.
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