Gathering Evidence After a Car Accident
Car accidents are incredibly common. From speeding to distracted driving, there are all sorts of minor behaviors that can quickly lead to an accident. If you’ve been involved in a car accident, navigating the challenges of gathering evidence for your insurance company, car accident attorney, or personal injury attorney can be a daunting process — but it is necessary to secure a favorable outcome for any legal claim you may make.
If your car accident was caused by the negligence or recklessness of another party, it’s essential that you gather sufficient evidence to prove your case. Learn more about the evidence you will need from your Edinburg car accident attorney.
Safety First
First, if you’ve been injured in any way, it’s imperative that you ask for help and get the medical assistance you need. Your health should be your first priority in every case — all the other tasks can wait.
Once you’ve done everything necessary to protect your health and safety, it’s time to gather the evidence you need.
1. The Police Report
Police reports are made by an officer responding to the scene of the accident who takes detailed notes on the specifics of the crash and gathers any eyewitness accounts that can be made. Police reports are often what the insurance company and your car accident attorney will refer to, as they can determine who is at fault in the accident and contain statements made by those involved in the accident.
These reports weigh heavily in any claim you may have against the other driver.
At the scene of the crash, the responding officer should give you a receipt containing the identification number for your report. Using this number, you can call the traffic division of your local police station and request a copy of the report. Reports do cost a fee; they are generally around $15.
You can also request a copy from your insurance agent if they have obtained a copy. Please note that it may take a few weeks for the officer to complete the report, so be patient.
2. Insurance and Contact Information
It’s important to obtain the other driver’s contact information and exchange insurance information directly if you can. If the other driver is too injured or cannot trade information, you can obtain this information through the police report.
If the other driver leaves the scene of the crash, it’s imperative that you do not chase after the car. Note down any identifying information about the car and the driver such as make, model, the appearance of the driver, and license plate number, and then call 911.
3. Photographic Evidence
If you are able, take photos of the scene and your car’s damage, as well as a video recording the whole scene to cover anything you may have missed in the photos.
You can use this in your claims process while you wait on the report to be completed by the responding officer. Be sure to take photos of any skid marks, traffic control lights or signs, perspective shots from the other driver’s and witness’ point of view, conditions of the roadway, and visibility of the area.
4. Witness Testimony
If there are any witnesses to the accident, be sure to not only obtain their contact information but any perspective shots from your camera of the accident. A witness statement can be essential in trying to prove your case. If you are able to do so, get the witness statements immediately so that no details are lost.
Make sure you ask:
Pedestrians
Utility workers
Shop owners (shop owners may also have security cameras that recorded the incident)
Other drivers
5. Medical Records
Next, you should collect any relevant medical records associated with the accident. This may include:
hospital records
ambulance call sheets
physical therapy records and notes
diagnostic testing results
acupuncture treatments
office visits
IME reports
x-rays and MRIs
medical reports
prior medical records of preexisting conditions (if relevant)
It’s important to avoid any gaps in your medical treatment or records, as your opponent’s legal team can use this to question the validity of your injuries and needs.
Edinburg Car Accident Attorneys Here for You
If you or a loved one has been in an accident, please contact a car accident attorney before making any agreement with the insurance company. An experienced lawyer can help you get back what you deserve from lost wages, medical expenses, and damages to get you back on your feet and moving forward with your life.