If you have been in a car accident, you know what the emotional distress feels like upon the moment of impact and for a notable time afterwards. Shock, anxiety, fear, and even anger are some of the most common emotions one may go through. The last thing many people think of is taking photos of the scene or gathering other evidence that may explain what happened after the fact. That is why we are here to give you this valuable information in order to be more prepared if you find yourself in an unexpected situation such as an automobile accident, precisely because it will serve you once you have your wits about you and are armed with an attorney. Proof of the specific details from the scene of the accident itself provides valuable evidence that protects your legal rights and provides your attorney with solid facts to present as your legal team works to ensure you are awarded the justice and compensation you need and deserve.
What types of evidence should you gather?
If you are physically capable of gathering evidence at the scene of the accident, here are some tips. It is highly likely that you will have a smartphone, so utilize the camera function to take both photos and video, if possible. Be sure to focus on these four items:
- Photos of the scene. Be sure to capture the following images:
- The area of the accident from every direction – both closeup and from afar
- Skid marks from both vehicles taken from a distance to get a full view of all skid marks left by each vehicle involved
- Traffic lights and/or traffic signs to assist in indicating who had the right of way at the time of the accident
- Images of the viewpoint of the other driver(s) if it is applicable to your situation and could potentially be relevant to illustrate their ability to avoid the collision based on their visibility of the accident scene
- Photos of all vehicles involved. Be sure to capture the following images:
- The areas on each vehicle that show damage – both closeup and from afar
- Much can be determined by investigating the damage, such as how fast the vehicle was moving when the collision occurred, as well as potentially revealing who was at fault
- Contact information for all drivers and any witnesses at the scene of the accident. Be sure to obtain the following information:
- Name and address – you can get this information from car registration, driver’s license, or insurance card
- If the other driver does not stop, capture the license plate number, if possible
- Official reports about the accident. Be sure to obtain copies of:
- Police report
- DMV reports – your accident report along with the accident report filed by the other driver(s) involved in the accident
At Richard Harris Law Firm, we understand how traumatizing these events can be for the victims, and we are committed to providing resources that are of value in the unfortunate event of a car accident. If you or a loved one has been injured, our highly knowledgeable and experienced team of attorneys is here for you, offering you the representation you need in order to obtain the compensation you deserve.
Damages can include compensation for some of the following:
- Medical expenses
- Depending upon how severe your injuries are from the accident, medical expenses can refer to minor medical attention with physical therapy or other services related to recovery to major surgery involving extended hospital stays and more.
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy costs
- Rehabilitation may be weeks, to months, to years of necessary treatment in order to gain your quality of life back as closely as possible to what it was before the accident.
- Lost wages
- As you are going through the process of necessary medical attention and rehabilitation, it is likely that returning to a normal work schedule may be delayed, resulting in a loss of wages.
- Loss of earning capacity
- If your injury results in the loss of ability to do your job as needed, the repercussions may be that you are unable to earn enough to sustain your rightful quality of life.
- Pain and suffering
- By definition, pain and suffering refers to “physical and emotional stress caused from an injury. Some damages that might come under this category would be: aches, temporary and permanent limitations on activity, potential shortening of life, depression or scarring.”
- Disfigurement
- In some cases, motor vehicle accident injuries cause irreversible damage to a person’s physical appearance.
- Permanent impairment
- While some walk away from motor vehicle accidents with minor injuries that can be recovered from in a period of time, there are many who have life altering consequences leaving victims unable to return to a normal way of life.
We are available 24 hours a day / 7 days a week to guide and support you through the process. Contact us by phone at 702.374.0436 or visit our website: richardharrislaw.com
