Car accidents are a terrifying and traumatic experience. When one happens, you will need to think and act quickly to begin recording details of the car accident to protect yourself during the insurance investigation. Here are some of the most important details you should record.
Damages
Once you’ve ensured that you and your passengers are safe and aren’t in need of immediate medical attention, be sure to exit your vehicle (if able) to survey the damages to your car. While you’re looking over your car, it is vital that you take pictures of the damages your car possesses due to the accident. To protect yourself in the inevitable insurance litigation, it would also be wise to take pictures of the other car involved in the accident. These pictures will serve as visual proof of the true extent of the accident to both insurance companies.
Witness Testimony
Car accident litigation can prove to be a messy and challenging ordeal. To protect yourself during a possible trial or negotiation process, it will be highly beneficial to you to record any testimony from those who witnessed the accident. This sort of situation would most likely fall into the realm of personal injury law. It’s common for the other person involved in the accident to refute your version of events. Sometimes individuals aim to move the blame onto you and thus make you responsible for the financial burden of the accident. Acquiring eyewitness testimony can help to prove your version of events and will help your personal injury lawyer with arguing your case.
Traffic Details
Car accidents can be caused by a multitude of factors, many of which can be attributed to details of the traffic in the area and the traffic signs or notifications. Car accidents do occur because someone ran a red light or didn’t stop at a stop sign. Because of the importance of the traffic signs and notices in the area, it is essential that you record any traffic signs, notices, markings, or lights that are in the area of your car accident. Recording these details may help to prove who was truly at fault for the accident and see that justice is served.
Day, Time, and Weather
These details may not seem important to you at the time of your accident, but recording these small details can help in any upcoming litigation or negotiation regarding financial restitution for your damages. Recording the date and time can help to create a timeline of events leading up to the accident. Recording the weather helps protect you if bad weather happens to be the cause of your accident.
When you experience a car accident, it is right and legal to trade your name, car information, and insurance company information with the other person. Also, record their license plate number as an added precaution.