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If you have been involved in a car accident, you may be able to collect evidence at the scene to help prove that the other driver was negligent. If you do not collect some of the evidence immediately, it can be gone for good.
Even if you believe that the car accident was relatively minor, you should still make sure to gather evidence immediately after the crash occurs. Pictures and videos of the car accident scene and of any property damage and injuries can help you later if the other driver or their insurer tries to place fault on you.
Witnesses who saw how the accident occurred and the events leading up to it can help validate your side of the story as well. It is important to note that physical evidence and memories can diminish over time, which makes it crucial to act swiftly after a car accident happens.
Additionally, you will have to prove how much the car accident has cost you and that the other driver caused the collision because of their negligent actions. In many cases, the proof you provide will not only help the court see the accident from your point of view, but it will also protect you from any false accusations made by the at-fault driver or their insurance company.
When you are involved in a car crash, you should immediately contact the police to report the incident and to obtain a copy of the police report. When police arrive at the scene, they will obtain:
The official police report of the accident is typically viewed as an objective point of view of the crash, which will be helpful for your claim.
Obtaining witness testimonies can be important for your case. Eyewitnesses are often able to give valuable information about what caused the crash. Other people who were not involved in the crash, such as pedestrians in the area or drivers of other vehicles, may have seen what happened, and they may testify on your behalf. You should get their contact information as well. They may be able to confirm your belief that the other driver was at fault.
You should also try to obtain the other driver’s license plate number and inform law enforcement. If you speak with the other driver, you should get their contact and insurance information. This information will help you with a claim, and it will help when you call the insurance company to report the accident.
Use your cellphone to take photographs and videos of the damage, the position of the cars, along with your surroundings. Pictures can show valuable evidence about how the crash happened and the circumstances that led to the accident.
You should also take pictures and videos of skid marks, debris, broken glass, property damage to road signs, guardrails, the landscape, and any road defects that may have contributed to the accident. These details may help prove that the other driver caused the accident. For example, a skid mark might show that the other driver was speeding at the time of the accident.
You should also compile evidence after you leave the scene of the car accident. Medical records are critical.
It is important to document your injury. If you are able to, take pictures or videos of your injury. A lawyer will try to link your injuries to the collision. You should acquire copies of your medical record and any related receipts. You should collect information that proves you went to the emergency room. You should get paperwork that shows you underwent examinations, tests, and/or surgery.
You may be able to help your case by obtaining footage of the accident. If a traffic camera caught your accident on tape, you can use this to prove that the other driver was at fault. A traffic camera may show that the other driver sped through a red light and collided with your vehicle.
You might be able to get footage from security cameras as well. A security camera could show that the other driver was on their phone or otherwise driving while distracted at the time of the accident.
Additionally, expert witnesses, such as an accident reconstructionist, doctor, or engineer, are experts who can give their educated opinions on complicated questions to help the jury understand the full effects of the crash. An expert witness may be able to provide information on who could be at fault for the accident. Your lawyer has access to expert witnesses, and they will be able to help you get testimonies from them.
If you have been involved in a car accident, you should collect certain evidence at the scene. A lawyer can also help you collect additional evidence as well. Our Delaware car accident lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. can help you after a collision. Contact us online or call us at 302-656-5445 to schedule a free consultation today. We are located in Wilmington and Millsboro, Delaware, and we serve clients throughout Dover, New Castle County, and Sussex County.