One of the best things you can do after a car accident is collect as much information as possible at the scene. While an experienced legal team like the professionals at Cochran, Kroll & Associates who are car accident attorneys in Detroit can help you with a car accident case, the evidence you provide can be invaluable, especially if who’s at fault is ever in dispute. Here are some of the most important things you should do following an accident to preserve evidence and help your car accident lawyer later.
Photograph the Accident Scene
One of the first things you should do following a car accident is photograph the accident scene. This should ideally be done before the cars are moved. You can also make a video using your phone instead of taking photographs. Always be sure to get extensive pictures or videos of the damage to both cars, and document anything else that may have played a role in the accident. Capture the lighting, speed limit signs, stop signs or stop lights, and even the road conditions. All of this goes to show the exact conditions when the accident occurred.
Obtain Information From Witnesses
Another extremely important thing you should do after a car accident is obtain information from witnesses. After the accident, witnesses will likely stop to ensure everyone is fine. But, once those witnesses leave the accident scene, it can be hard to track them down again. You do not need to get a full statement from any witnesses who stop. But you should get their full name, phone number, address, and email address. If a lawyer needs to contact them later to get a statement, you have all their contact information ready to go.
Have a Police Report Made
The final thing that you should consider doing to preserve evidence after a car accident is to have a police report made. If the other driver is accusing you of being at fault, will not provide their license or insurance information, or if anything else feels off, you should have a police report made. Additionally, if you have any injuries that are evident immediately, you should proceed to have an accident report completed by the police. Police can photograph the scene and document key pieces of information that can later be used to show fault for the accident.
The actions you take immediately after a car accident occurs can help to preserve evidence. This can then provide a car accident attorney with invaluable information that can be used to show how an accident occurred, why an accident occurred, and who is at fault for the accident. If you have been injured in an automobile accident and someone else was fault for that accident, you may be eligible to file a personal injury case against the at-fault parties. Reach out to a local accident attorney for a free consultation.
