The best time to gather evidence for your car accident case is right after the accident itself. What you gather right there or in those first few minutes is going to help you a lot later.
So long as you are strong enough to do so and have ensured the safety of every other person involved in the crash, feel free to begin collecting evidence right away.
Thereafter, when you’re safe, look for a car accident attorney and present all that you have gathered. A competent lawyer should know exactly how to use the information you provide to build a rock-solid case that can get you maximum compensation.
The Different Evidence You Have to Collect
Here are the most important pieces of evidence you have to gather at the scene of the car accident.
Photos
For starters, snap wide shots of the area. You want to show exactly where everything happened, such as how the cars ended up, what the surroundings look like, and any obstacles or road conditions that might’ve been involved.
After you’ve taken those shots, zoom in on the damage to your car. Get the front, back, side, and any other angles you can. Don’t just take one or two pictures; take several from different angles.
Don’t forget to get close-ups of the damage on both your car and the other car. You might not think it matters now, but if there’s any question about the severity of the crash later on, you’ll be glad you have those detailed photos.
You also need to think about the other vehicle(s) involved. Take pictures of their damage and, most importantly, their license plate. Some people might try to slip away from responsibility, so having a shot off their plate means you’ve got proof of who they are.
Skid Marks, Debris, and Other Small Clues
You know those black tire marks that are left on the road? Those are called skid marks. They can tell a story about how fast the other driver was going, whether they slammed on the brakes or even if they lost control. Take pictures of any skid marks you see, even if they seem faint. The more detail you capture here, the better.
And don’t stop at the skid marks; look for any debris that might be scattered around the scene. Broken glass, pieces of plastic, or even parts of the car could all be important evidence. These things can show the point of impact or even prove that the crash happened the way you said it did.
Witness Statements
One of the best things you can have on your side after an accident is a witness—someone who saw exactly what happened. Witnesses can help prove your version of events, especially when the other driver tries to twist the story.
Get the names and contact information of any witnesses around. If they’re willing, ask if you can record their statements on video. Even a short clip where they say what they saw can be incredibly valuable.
If they’re not comfortable with a video, just make sure to write down what they say, especially if it supports your side of the story.
Records Supporting Your Injuries
If you’re injured, you have to document those injuries right away, too. You might not feel hurt at first because sometimes adrenaline can mask the pain, but that doesn’t mean you’re not injured.
Even if you don’t think it’s serious, take photos of any visible injuries you have. A bruise, a scrape, a bump on your head, all of these things can show the impact the crash had on you. It’s better to have these photos and not need them than to realize too late that you should’ve taken them.
