If you were injured in a car accident, evidence at the scene of the crash can be invaluable in proving the other driver’s negligence in causing the crash. Broken glass, twisted metal, shredded tires, crushed vehicle parts, and other debris strewn on the road can all be important clues as to how the accident happened. If at all possible, you – or a passenger or witness if you are too injured – should collect this evidence and more. Even if the other driver admits his fault at the scene or his liability is clear cut, it is likely that his insurance company will fight back when you need to make a claim for the compensation you deserve. That’s when the evidence you have gathered can help.
What Evidence Should You Obtain at the Scene of Your Wreck?
Your first steps after your accident should be to call the police and obtain medical treatment for anyone injured in the crash. While the police could collect some helpful information when they conduct their investigation, you cannot rely on them to be thorough. Here are some ways you can preserve evidence that can help your car accident attorney obtain the best possible settlement for you:
Pictures.
You will want to take as many pictures of the scene as you can. If you see skid marks, be sure to photograph them – especially from the direction the vehicle was moving. You will also want to take pictures of the positions of the vehicles, damage to them, any other property damage, debris and vehicle parts on the road, road conditions, road signs, and anything else you think could be important later. An accident reconstruction expert may be able to use this information to determine the speed of the vehicles and other crucial information.
Red–light cameras.
While not all intersections have them, red-light cameras – if available – can provide detailed information as to the seconds before the crash and may have even recorded the accident. This evidence can be extremely powerful if the insurance adjuster denies his insured’s liability or claims you were in part at fault.
Intersection records.
If your wreck happened at an intersection, you want to take a picture of it, traffic signals, and signs, because the intersection’s design or maintenance could have contributed to what happened. Depending on what you find, you or your attorney may want to check municipal records for signal timing charts, signal maintenance records, and the intersection’s original plan to see if there were any changes.
Towing records.
You may be surprised to discover valuable observations in the reports from the persons who towed the vehicles. These individuals have been at many accidents scenes and may have even noted observations about the other driver in their reports.
Security camera footage.
If your accident occurred near businesses, one of them could have had a security camera that recorded what happened. You will need to retain an experienced attorney quickly who will know how to obtain this information before it is recorded over.
Have You Been Involved In A Henderson Or Las Vegas Car Accident?
If you’ve been injured in a car accident you need to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our Henderson office directly at 702.405.6000 to schedule a free initial consultation.