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A vehicular accident is one of the last things a person wants to experience during his or her lifetime. It can be a very traumatic experience; involving painful physical injuries and expensive property damage costs. One of the most important things a person needs to do right after a car accident is to preserve evidence. This will come in handy during lawsuits and insurance claims. Here's how.

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EditSteps

  1. Preserve Car Accident Evidence for a Personal Injury Claim Step 1.jpg
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    Try to keep yourself calm. DO NOT run away. Leaving the scene of the crime, especially if you are directly involved, will only make you look bad. Even if it wasn't your fault, the police might assume that it is, if you bolt. Breathe deeply and Instead, carefully move your vehicle from the highway to a safe side.
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  2. Preserve Car Accident Evidence for a Personal Injury Claim Step 2.jpg
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    Once you are out of traffic, take out your advance warning devices (such as cones, flares, or reflectors) and put them around the accident scene to divert other cars away. Check the other vehicle/s if for any injured individuals. Assess their injuries and check for fatalities.
  3. Preserve Car Accident Evidence for a Personal Injury Claim Step 3.jpg
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    Call for help immediately. Get in touch with an emergency hotline for an ambulance, as well as the local police department. While you are waiting, see if maybe you can assist those who are wounded. DO NOT move those with severe injuries! Moving them would do more harm than good.
  4. Preserve Car Accident Evidence for a Personal Injury Claim Step 4.jpg
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    While waiting for the police and/or ambulance unit, take this chance to collect as much evidence as you can. Once again, DO NOT move anything. If you have a camera or smartphone with you, take pictures of the accident from multiple angles. Take photos of those injured as well with their permission.
  5. Preserve Car Accident Evidence for a Personal Injury Claim Step 5.jpg
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    If there is a tree or any elevation nearby, use it to get a bird's eye view. Take note of skid marks, dents, and vehicle position. Counting on law enforcers alone for evidence won't be enough to defend yourself should the other party file a lawsuit against you. Plus, you might need such evidence for your insurance claim too.
  6. Preserve Car Accident Evidence for a Personal Injury Claim Step 6.jpg
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    For your own injuries, you may start taking pictures of it as well. Do the same for the next couple of days or weeks for documentation purposes.
  7. Preserve Car Accident Evidence for a Personal Injury Claim Step 7.jpg
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    Get the names and addresses of those involved in the accident. Give them your name and contact details too. They could be direct witnesses or passersby. It would be hard to locate them later on, so it's always a good idea to keep tabs on them right away.
  8. Preserve Car Accident Evidence for a Personal Injury Claim Step 8.jpg
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    As soon as you are able, seek legal advice from a personal injury attorney in your locality. Show him the pictures and/or videos you took, and discuss the case in detail. Even if the other party has not filed any legal action yet, it's important to ask about your options. Your attorney can evaluate the situation and answer all your questions. Don't wait until it's too late to get the right legal counsel. In the event that an injury claim is filed against you, you would already know the best course of action.
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Categories: Injury and Accidents

Recent edits by: Renee Michelle Wenker, LAInjuryLawyer

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