The moments after a car accident are usually overwhelming, stressful, and chaotic. The last thing most people are thinking about after such a traumatic event is what steps they need to take to protect the value of any potential legal claim. Proper documentation of an accident scene serves exactly this purpose and is one of the most vital things you can do following a traffic collision. If you were injured in a car accident, the experienced nationwide car accident lawyers at Local Accident Reports can help you understand your rights and learn how to protect them, ensuring you receive the financial compensation you are entitled to after being injured by a negligent driver.
Notify Law Enforcement
The very first thing you should do after a car accident is call 911. This is the quickest way to create an official record of the incident while also making sure that any necessary emergency services are dispatched to the scene.
Once the responding officer arrives, they will investigate the cause of the accident and document their findings in a police accident report. In the event that you decide to take legal action for your damages, this report will serve as a vital piece of evidence that shows how the accident happened and who was to blame.
Gather Evidence
If you don’t require immediate medical attention and it is safe to do so, you need to gather as much evidence as you can before leaving the scene. This evidence can play a crucial role in proving liability and damages. To begin with, you should take as many videos and/or pictures as possible of:
- Any damage to the vehicles and other personal property
- The entire accident scene in general
- Any visible injuries
- Any fluid spills or brake marks on the roadway
- Traffic and weather conditions
- Any details you feel may have contributed to the accident, such as a missing stop sign, potholes, or malfunctioning traffic light
- Other evidence such as deployed airbags, bloodstains, and broken glass
Exchange Information
After an accident, you need to exchange information with any other drivers who were involved in the crash, including names, contact details, insurance information, and driver’s license numbers. When exchanging this information, stick to the facts. Do not apologize, discuss the accident, offer theories about what happened, make definitive statements, or accept responsibility for any part of the collision. Doing any of these can ultimately be used against you and cause irreparable damage to your claim.
Talk to Bystanders
If anyone in the immediate area witnessed the accident, try to get their names and contact details as well. Eyewitness statements are often vital evidence in car accident claims since they support the victim’s version of events. If you are unable to talk to any witnesses due to your injury or they do not want to speak with you, don’t worry. An experienced car accident lawyer will be able to speak with them and get any necessary information.
Find Video Footage of the Accident
Obtaining video footage of your accident can make a world of difference when trying to prove liability. Talk to local business owners and ask if they have any security cameras that might have caught the accident. You can also ask any witnesses if they have dash cams that may have recorded the incident. Keep in mind that you need to act quickly as security and dash cam footage are not usually stored for very long. If the owner of the video refuses to send it to you or relinquish the tape, ask them to play it for you and record it with your phone.
Stay Off of Social Media
After a car accident, it is normal to want to vent about the ordeal with others both in person and on social media. However, you have to understand that the insurance adjuster assigned to your claim is actively searching for any information they can use to challenge or downplay your claim. So, it is essential to the outcome of your claim that you avoid posting about the accident or your injuries since it could end up damaging your claim.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
After a traffic accident, you need to be thoroughly examined by a medical professional even if your injuries seem trivial. It is not uncommon for severe injuries like traumatic brain injuries and internal organ damage to not show symptoms for several hours or even several days. If you put off seeking medical care, you are giving these and other “invisible injuries” time to worsen and even turn fatal.
Additionally, a medical assessment is also vital for your injury claim. If you postpone medical care, the insurance carrier will claim that your injuries are obviously not serious or were caused by something that took place after the accident. When you receive prompt treatment, a doctor will document your injuries in a report. If the insurer tries to make either of these arguments, the doctor’s report and your medical records will prove that your injuries were directly caused by the car accident.
Keep a Daily Journal
It is important to document everything that took place during and after your accident. As time passes, your memories of the incident will fade. When you document the details in a journal, you ensure that important information is not lost to time.
To keep an effective journal, you should document how your injuries are progressing, what your medical treatments are like, how much pain you are in, what your mental state is, any activities you are not able to participate in, and the impacts your injuries are having on your life and your family’s life on a daily basis.
Talk to a Nationwide Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you were injured in a car accident due to someone else’s negligence, reach out to the nationwide car accident lawyers at Local Accident Reports. We will work to ensure you receive maximum compensation for your injuries and other damages. Call us at (888) 657-1460 to schedule your free consultation.