How to Gather Evidence after a Car Accident

When you consult with a Boca Raton car accident lawyer, you need to bring as much evidence as you can to prove your case. Unfortunately, many accident victims have no idea what they need to do to support their claim for damages. Without crash scene evidence, an attorney cannot determine if you are entitled to file a claim successfully.

In this article, we will explain how to collect evidence after your car crash. Here is what you need to do:

1. Exchange Insurance Information with the Other Driver

Since Florida became a comparative negligence state for car crashes, drivers must exchange insurance information. This step will help your attorney determine the other driver’s available coverage and if it is sufficient to pay for your damages.

2. Take Photos and Videos at the Crash Scene

Although police officers will investigate the accident scene, you should gather your own evidence. It is essential to start getting this kind of crash scene evidence immediately after the collision. This will allow you to capture the position of both vehicles after the impact, before they are moved out of the way of oncoming traffic.

Also, if you start snapping photos of the other car, the other driver will think twice before fleeing the accident scene. If you have an image of their license plate number, the police will identify them very quickly.

Do not forget to take detailed photos of the damages to your car and of your injuries. Also, focus on any other element which may be relevant for the accident claim, such as:

• CCTV or traffic cameras in the area that may have recorded the accident
• Skid marks
• Traffic signs and signals
• Potholes and other instances of poor road maintenance

3. Obtain Statements from Eyewitnesses

Eyewitnesses are very useful in a car accident claim. Their unbiased story can prove that the other driver was negligent and caused your crash. Some eyewitnesses may also have photos and videos capturing the accident.

Try to persuade these people to help your case. Ask them to give you a short statement describing what they saw and ask for their contact details. If they have photo and video evidence, ask them to transfer the files to you.

Let them know that, at a certain point, your Boca Raton car accident lawyer will want to talk to them and obtain an official statement. Please note that some eyewitnesses may be unwilling to get involved in your case. Do not insist beyond a polite request.

4. Preserve All Physical Evidence Intact

Any kind of property damage after an accident must be preserved as it is until an attorney has the chance to examine and document it properly. Here are a few best practices for collecting crash scene evidence:

• Put any damaged clothing or other items in Ziploc bags and label them with the date and place of the accident
• Do not throw away any item damaged in the crash, no matter how unimportant it may seem
• Do not repair any item before the lawyer saw it and evaluated the cost to fix or replace it
• Do not modify photos and videos in any way (and this includes renaming the files)

5. Obtain the Accident Report Prepared by the Police

Last, but not least, do not forget to obtain a copy of the report prepared by the police officers who investigated the crash. You can request your copy online on the BuyCrash portal or on the website of the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

This report contains essential information and evidence you may have missed, including statements from eyewitnesses and the other driver’s contact and insurance details.

Bring Your Evidence to an Experienced Boca Raton Car Accident Lawyer!

When you are released from hospital following your car accident, do not waste valuable time. Get in touch with an experienced Boca Raton car accident lawyer and do not forget to bring as much evidence as possible to the first appointment.

A skilled lawyer can evaluate the merits of your case by examining the police report, photos and videos and listening to your story. If you have a valid case, we will represent you on a contingency fee basis.

Call Miami Lawyers 360 to schedule a free case evaluation at 786-686-2857!