5 Ways to Gather Evidence After an Auto Accident

1. Take Pictures and Videos

Visible evidence is more concrete than word of mouth in auto accident cases. If you do not have severe injuries and the medics do not immediately take you to the hospital, take photos of the scene. Capture the images as soon as you can to ensure you get an accurate representation of the scene's condition. Tips to take photos for evidence include:

• Capture visible injuries like cuts and bruises or related evidence, such as blood-stained clothes
• Include nearby road conditions such as potholes and traffic lights or road signs
• Take pictures of skid marks, debris, and visual proof of the collision
• Put a timestamp on the photos to provide evidence of the date you took the images

The photos can help you see details you would otherwise miss or forget. Finally, take the pictures at different angles to ensure you get different views of the scene. Photos from different angles also show the perspective of the drivers involved. 

2. Gather Notes and Medical Records

Your memory can become fuzzy, especially if the court processes take too long. Yet, you must give accurate and consistent statements of what transpired. If you give contradictory accounts or show signs of confusion, you give the other party the upper hand.

Write the events you remember immediately after the accident. Vital details include the date, time, and weather at the time of the crash. Also, record the drivers' statements to reference whenever needed.

3. Get Witnesses

Witnesses are an ideal way to back up your claims in court. You can get vital details of events that happened right before the accident from witnesses. For instance, witnesses can provide information to prove that the other party was at fault. The witnesses can also help you provide the details needed by your personal injury lawyer or claim adjusters.

Request the contact details of onlookers who are willing to testify. If you must go to the hospital first, you may not find pedestrians, passengers, or passers-by. Nonetheless, you can return to the scene later and find more witnesses from nearby businesses. Whichever way, ensure you consult a lawyer to get the witnesses early.

4. Contact the Police

Police who respond to accidents generate a report. You can request a copy of the information to present during the hearing. In addition, the reports always contain critical statements from witnesses and other involved parties. So you get a lot of insight that could prove your recollection of the accident. Besides, police evidence has more impact than the details in a traffic collision report.

Evidence that police can offer includes 911 audio records and computer-aided dispatch reports. Remember that the authorities usually have strict procedures to follow to get the documents. Yet, you can simplify the process if you work with a personal injury attorney.

5. Gather Medical Records

Medical records are another example of proof needed for your personal injury case. Pictures can serve as evidence of the injuries but may not present the extent of the damage. Besides, you also need to keep track of your hospital bills for compensation purposes.

After your visible injuries heal, you'll need the medical records to prove that you suffered severe harm. Failure to obtain the records may make insurers believe you did not sustain the injuries from the accident.

Evidence preservation benefits your compensation claim. Also, you can make the process less burdensome if you seek the help of an attorney. The experts at Wegner & Associates are ready to help you get a fair claim. In addition, you will get excellent representation as you recover and proceed with court procedures. Contact us today!