After the Crash: What Information Will You Need After a Car Accident?
Following a car accident, you are likely to experience a flurry of emotions. Depending on the severity of the crash, things can become chaotic relatively quickly, and cause you to forget the information you need to gather from the scene and other affected parties. Still, you must allow yourself to be reminded of what information should be gathered so that you can thoroughly inform your insurer and legal authorities of your experience.
The Information Needed Following a Car Accident
The information you gather following a car accident is essential to building your case. If you intend to file a lawsuit for damages or injuries, obtaining the right information means the difference between being awarded compensation and being left to fund your recovery alone. All information must be collected immediately following the collision so that no details are incidentally left out.
In many cases, if the accident was the fault of the other party involved, they may attempt to lie about their presence at the scene. This is another reason why you must document everything as soon as possible, so no one can be dishonest about anything that occurred or who was affected. The information you’ll need to gather includes:
- Police Report: This is key to gathering objective documentation reflecting the events that occurred before, during, and after the collision. Call 911 immediately following an accident, and the police officer will gather the information of all parties involved, the location and details of the incident, and the damages incurred.
- Photos and/or Video: You must collect evidence of the damages incurred from the collision. Make sure to get photos of each vehicle, no matter the extent of the damages (even if there are none). Take the photos from different angles to ensure that you show all damage done.If there is damage that is particularly hard to capture in a still photo, such as damage to a trunk that is only noticeable upon opening and closing, then record it in a video format. This will protect you from being blamed for any damages that may occur after the accident.
- Personal Information: Take down the name, phone number, address, and insurance information of all individuals present at the scene. If there are witnesses, take down their information as well in case you need a supporting testimony.
- Medical Documentation: You should always visit a medical professional following a collision. This is because some injuries can go unnoticed for a few hours, even days after an accident. To monitor your physical health and obtain information that may support your case, collect information from your physician regarding your condition following the incident.
Get a Personal Injury Attorney
Next, you’ll need to hire an experienced personal injury. They will ensure that all of this information is used to the fullest extent, providing you the greatest protection and defense possible. If details are missing, they will conduct investigations to uncover further information on your case. With the help of an expert attorney, you can rest knowing that you will be well on your way to recovery will full compensation for your injuries and damages.
