Gathering Evidence Information After a Car Accident
In the event you find yourself in a car accident, you may not be thinking too clearly when it happens. At that time, you may have to concentrate on getting out of harm’s way to avoid further damage to your car or injuries to yourself and the other occupants of your car.
However, it is very important not to take your eyes off the ball and plan for the future. You can’t know at this point whether you will be presenting a lawsuit of it everything is going to be alright and you won’t have to think about this accident ever again.
In either case, now is the time to start gathering all the evidence, which may not be available to you later on. What kind of evidence can you gather and why is it important to do so right after the accident? Read on.
The importance of gathering evidence
If your injuries are so severe that you have to be airlifted out of the scene to a nearby hospital or if you are put in an ambulance, your health clearly needs to be your first priority. However, if you are able to move around, you must realize that any evidence you collect at this point will be critical should you find yourself in the middle of a lawsuit. Evidence is the best tool for a plaintiff to prove the extent of their losses in order to secure the highest compensation possible.
What kind of evidence do you need to gather?
It is vitally important for you to know how to gather and preserve any evidence you can get your hands on. Your car accident lawyer can help you get any additional evidence needed to build your case.
Information on the other driver
Get the other driver’s information. This means their name, address, their driver’s license number, the license plate of their car and their insurance information. If the other driver was driving as part of their job, get their employer’s information as well.
Pictures of the scene
Nowadays, taking pictures is not an issue. Your cell phone's camera is a great tool. Use it to take pictures of every angle of your car, the other car, the spot where the accident happened and everything that may be useful such as street signs, skid marks, tree branches that were in the way, the condition of the road, etc.
Eyewitness accounts
If there were witnesses to the accident and they are willing to talk to you, get their information and record their account of what they saw.
Medical evidence
This evidence you will gather as it happens. It is important that you seek medical attention immediately after the accident. Start collecting all medical bills, prescription drug bills, medical equipment bills for devices you are having to use.
Loss of income
Put together a file on the income you have not received due to your not being able to go to work. You may also put a number on the estimated loss of future income should it take time for you to recover from your injuries.