The 5 Types of Evidence You Need To Gather After a Car Accident
January 18th, 2023
After a car accident, your thoughts may be racing and you may find it challenging to think about the next steps to take. However, it’s important for your legal claim to begin gathering evidence of your accident as soon as possible.
The longer you wait to obtain evidence, the harder it can become to secure it. If you plan on taking on the situation alone, be aware that it can be overwhelming.
This is why you need a car accident attorney on your side. An experienced car accident lawyer will know what evidence you need and how to access it. They can also make sure the evidence you need doesn’t somehow disappear as a result of bad faith behaviors from the other parties involved.
The Evidence You Need To Secure
Evidence begins to pile up immediately in a traffic accident, and there are several types you will want to secure in order to prove your injuries and damages.
You will also need evidence to help determine the responsible party and establish if negligence was involved. An RGV car accident attorney can help you gather your evidence and make sure you have the information and facts you need.
Below we highlight the various types of evidence that are critical for a successful legal claim:
1. Photos and Videos of the Scene and Evidence
In the shock that follows an accident, gathering evidence is likely to be the last thing on your mind — but it is an important step if you are safely capable of doing so.
You’ll want to take photos and video of the damage, where the cars involved ended up, debris, road conditions, and more. Take more pictures than you think you need to ensure you have enough.
If you or a passenger are injured, take photos of the injury at the time of the accident and through the healing process.
2. Insurance and Contact Information
You will need to obtain the contact information of the other driver(s) involved and their insurance. Your insurance will likely want you to make a claim if you weren’t the one at fault.
Don’t make the mistake of NOT getting their information because they’ve promised to pay you themselves or some other plea.
3. Witness Testimony
Witness testimony can help prove what happened outside of physical evidence. Because memories fade quickly, you and your car accident attorney will want to make sure you obtain witness testimonies as quickly as possible.
Witnesses can include other drivers, pedestrians, people in nearby buildings, and emergency responders. Your own recollections are important to write down too, so do so as soon as possible.
4. Medical Records
You may be tempted to skip out on treatment after an accident, but it is a critical step to follow.
Get checked out immediately and follow up with your doctor if necessary. Request records of your injuries and what treatments you need.
Without medical records, it can be hard to get car accident compensation for any medical expenses you have.
5. Police Report
The police report is very important evidence for your claim. You should always contact your local police to the scene of the accident so that they can create the report.
The report includes diagrams, evidence, eyewitness testimony, and other important factors about your accident. Your insurance will get a copy, but you should be sure to request your own.
While these reports generally cost a small fee, you’ll want to obtain it to check for accuracy. The insurance company will be using this to help decide your case after a truck accident, so be sure to check it as soon as you can.
Don’t Go It Alone: Contact a Car Accident Attorney
It can be hard to work through all this on your own; you need an experienced attorney in your corner. Ramos James Law, PLLC, has been fighting for our clients for years, and we know how to gather evidence to give your case the best chance.
Don’t wait for evidence to decay, contact us today.