How to Preserve Evidence after a Car Accident

After experiencing a traumatic event like a car accident, the last thing on your mind is taking pictures of the scene and recording detailed notes about the accident. While you may be in a state of shock and want nothing more than to get home after a car accident, it is imperative that you take measures to preserve evidence at the scene of the accident. After going through such an emotional and damaging event, you may think that you will never forget the details of the accident; however, if you need the assistance of a car accident lawyer to take your case to court, you will want to rely on hard evidence obtained from the accident scene if you want to receive appropriate compensation for your damages.

The first thing you will want to do to create a record of the auto accident is take photographs. You will want to document the accident scene and damages to vehicles and people. To create a pictorial record of the scene, take pictures from near and far and from different angles. Be sure to take pictures of the road conditions and any other factors that may have contributed to the accident (i.e., covered, bent, or missing road signs). Take pictures of skid marks, road debris, and anything else that may help an expert recreate the scene if necessary to successfully pursue your accident claim.

When taking auto accident photos, be sure to focus on specific details. Do not simply take pictures of the overall damage your vehicle sustained in the car accident. It is also important that you take close range photographs documenting the details and extent of the damage. Be sure to develop your pictures promptly after the accident so you can make notes on the back of each photo. Specific documentation you have of the damages your vehicle sustained will help your car accident lawyer recover your losses in court or a settlement.

If you or anyone in your party has sustained a car accident injury, it is necessary to photograph the extent of the injury to pursue a personal injury insurance claim. If you are photographing an injury at close range, it is a good idea to include a ruler in the picture so viewers can gauge the actual size of the injured area. Not only do you want to take photographs of car accident injuries as soon as possible after the accident, but you will want to document the healing process with photos, copies of medical records, and evidence of lost wages due to the injury. A car accident attorney can further advise you if you are pursuing a personal injury insurance claim.

In addition to this documentation, be sure to make a daily journal log to record the pain that you are experiencing after an accident. Also, keep track of any additional expenses or losses incurred from a car accident injury such as medical prescription bills, additional food, and how the injury has affected your standard of living. Be aware that there is a lot to consider when you are pursuing a personal injury insurance claim. It is important to contact an accident lawyer soon after your accident so they can advise you on all of the things you need to document and save to establish a strong case.

After you document your experience with auto accident photos, you will also want to take the time to sit down and write detailed notes about the accident. The average case takes about a year to go to court and up to 22 months to resolve. In that time, specific details of the accident can become hazy or even forgotten completely if you do not take the time to write everything down while it is fresh in your memory. As part of your documentation, be sure to ask for a police report. If the police report does not contain a diagram of the accident, draw one yourself. Your personal notes should include information about when the accident occurred, what you were doing at the time of the accident, who was involved in the accident, any injuries and/or damages, the name of the police officer, details about road conditions and any other information that will help you recall what happened.

Finally, before you have your vehicle repaired ask your car accident lawyer if you have enough photographs of the damage. If your vehicle is destroyed and declared a total loss, be sure to check with your attorney before disposing of your vehicle. Always consult your accident lawyer before making any decisions regarding the evidence and documentation of your car accident.