What Evidence Should I Collect after a Car Accident? 

According to recent traffic safety reports from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were more than 6,700,000 police-reported car accidents in a single year in the United States. Fortunately, the majority of these accidents did not result in personal injury. Still, nearly five million collisions caused damage to vehicles and other property. 

Chances are if you drive on a regular basis, you will experience at least one car accident in your lifetime. If you are prepared and know what evidence to gather, you can build a strong claim for pain and suffering, medical bills, and other losses. 

The Police Should Be Called Immediately

If you are involved in a car accident, it is important to contact the police immediately to report the collision. Never leave the scene of an accident until police have cleared you to go. If someone is injured and you leave the scene, you can face criminal charges. 

When the officer arrives, they will ask for: 

• The address or location of the accident 
• The date and time of the accident 
• Names and contact information for everyone involved 
• Names and contact information for witnesses 
• A description of what occurred 
• A description of any injuries and/or property damage 

Once the police are notified, you can begin collecting evidence of the accident if you are safe and physically able to do so. The steps you take now can make all the difference for your insurance claim or legal action. 

Photos of the Accident Scene

Accident photos can be the most compelling piece of evidence available. They tell the story of how and why a collision occurred. 

Take pictures of all vehicles and how they are positioned, along with any signs of damage. Be sure to document other key details such as skid marks, debris, and road and weather conditions at the scene. Photos of injuries are important as well. Obviously, use discretion if someone is gravely hurt. 

Videos of the Scene

More and more drivers have dashboard cameras installed for this very reason: to record traffic accidents and other activity in real time. Dash cam footage can be shared with law enforcement, insurance companies, and lawyers. Footage from traffic cameras and local businesses may also be helpful evidence. Your lawyer will obtain any video related to your accident if it is available. 

Contact Information for Other Drivers and Witnesses

You must collect contact information from the other driver, and you should also gather it from passengers and witnesses at the scene. That includes names and phone numbers. You can use your phone to take a picture of their license, insurance card, and registration. The officer on the scene will check their credentials as well. Be sure to share your contact information with the other driver. 

Unfortunately, not everyone is so forthcoming with their information, especially if they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol or they are driving on a suspended license. If the other driver says they forgot their ID, ask them to provide something with their legal name on it, such as a bill or credit card. 

There are also hit-and-run drivers who take off after an accident. Never attempt to chase them. You could find yourself in a dangerous road rage encounter. The best thing to do is take a picture of their vehicle if possible and call the police. 

Medical Documents

With any accident involving physical injuries, it is vital to collect all medical documentation for a personal injury claim. Your lawyer will use this information to show how the accident directly caused your condition and the costs involved to treat your injuries. 

This includes documents related to: 

• Emergency room visits
• Hospital stays
• Laboratory tests 
• Surgery 
• Physical therapy 
• Medical devices 
• Prescriptions 

Employment Information

Some car accident injuries are so severe that the victim is unable to work because of a temporary or permanent condition. That means lost income in addition to all the other costs associated with the accident. 

Keep a detailed record of any workdays and income you lose because of injuries and doctor appointments. You may be able to recover compensation for lost wages through a personal injury claim. 

Witness Testimony

In some personal injury cases, it is firsthand accounts from eyewitnesses at the accident scene who best convey the details of what transpired. 

A witness can be a passenger in one of the vehicles involved or someone who happened to be driving or walking nearby at the time. If you were able to collect their contact information after the accident, share it with your lawyer, who will reach out to the witnesses. 

Once you have handed over all the accident evidence, it is best to defer to your lawyer for the next steps. Let them contact the other driver, their insurance company, or witnesses if they need more information. 

Police Report

A police report for the accident should be available within a few days to a week after the incident. You can pick up a copy at the local police department. The report is essentially the officer’s assessment of the accident and who was at fault. 

It is understood that because the officer did not witness the accident, their determination should not be considered as fact. However, when used in personal injury cases, police reports can often be quite persuasive. 

Advice to Remember if You Are Involved in a Car Accident

Car accidents are unnerving, especially if you have never experienced one before. It is easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure about how to handle an interaction with another driver after a crash. Try to stay as calm as possible, take several deep breaths, and call police for assistance. 

Avoid getting confrontational or aggressive. Focus on assisting anyone who has been hurt and gathering the evidence discussed above. 

What Not to Do after a Car Accident

Until you have spoken with a skilled personal injury lawyer, you should not speak with an insurance adjuster, admit fault, file a claim, or sign off on an insurance settlement. Insurance companies are motivated to pay out as little as possible. If it is clear the accident was caused by the driver carrying their insurance, they may offer you a quick settlement. 

It can be tempting to accept their offer, especially when you are in a hurry to get your vehicle fixed and move on with your life. But you may be entitled to additional damages. Patience can work in your favor if you allow your lawyer to thoroughly review the case and determine if additional compensation is possible. 

During the first few moments after a car accident, your first priority is to assess injuries to you or anyone around you. If someone is seriously hurt, call 911 for assistance. From there, it is so important to take the time to gather all evidence you can before the scene is cleared. 

A meeting with an experienced car accident lawyer should be your next step to ensure your rights are protected and to pursue financial compensation for all the losses you have incurred. 

Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Bring Knowledge and Experience to Your Case 

If you were injured in a car accident that was not your fault, reach out to the Baltimore car wreck lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton. Our legal team has the knowledge and experience to secure the compensation for which you are entitled. Call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.

Our offices are conveniently located in Baltimore, Glen Burnie, and Prince George’s County, where we represent clients throughout Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Southern Maryland and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Parkville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.