If you get hurt in a car accident with a drunk, distracted, or otherwise negligent driver, you have the right to pursue compensation for all resulting damages. Strong evidence is the key to success in these claims, and the process of gathering evidence begins at the scene.
Here are a few tips for documenting the scene of a car accident:
1. Photograph the Wreckage from All Angles
After police have arrived and started directing traffic away from the scene, it should be safe to walk around and take photographs from all angles. Be sure to capture both minor details like skid marks and broken mirrors and major details like weather conditions and the flow of traffic. Accident reconstruction experts can use these photos to piece together what happened in the seconds leading up to the crash.
2. Photograph the Insides of Vehicles
Photographs of deployed airbags, bloodstains, shattered glass, and other debris inside your vehicle (and the other vehicles involved) may strengthen your claim. You might not get another chance to document the inside of your vehicle, so don’t let the tow truck take it away until you’ve done so.
3. Gather the Names and Contact Details of Eyewitnesses
Get the names and phone numbers of any passing motorists and passengers who saw what happened. Nearby cyclists, pedestrians, and shopkeepers also may have witnessed the accident, and your lawyer might use their statements to corroborate your version of events.
It’s wise to get the names and badge numbers of all responding officers, as well, because your attorney may need to contact them at some point. Having such information will also make it easier to obtain a copy of the official police report.
4. Exchange Information with the Other Motorists Involved
To file a car accident claim, you will need each motorist’s name, contact details, and insurance policy number. You should also make a note of each party’s driver’s license number and each vehicle’s license plate number.
5. Write Down What Happened as Soon as Possible
Write down everything you remember about the collision as soon as possible. Because human memory can be unreliable, especially in the wake of a traumatic event, it’s essential to do this right away—and to do it thoroughly.
Start a personal injury journal, and in your first entry, write down all the pertinent details obtained from the other people involved, as well as your recollection of what happened. No detail is too small to include. Then, use the rest of the journal to document your recovery. These entries may help your lawyer pursue non-economic damages.
Discuss Your Case with a Car Accident Lawyer in Jackson
If you were hurt in a motor-vehicle collision through no fault of your own, contact Coxwell & Associates to discuss your case. We will review any evidence you gathered at the scene and then conduct a thorough investigation of our own.
Our lawyers and outstanding support staff will do everything in their power to help you pursue the highest possible settlement. Call (601) 265-7766 or fill out our Contact Form to schedule a free case evaluation with a car accident attorney in Jackson.
Disclaimer: This blog is intended as general information purposes only, and is not a substitute for legal advice. Anyone with a legal problem should consult a lawyer immediately.