A big part of being successful in a car accident lawsuit is your ability to prove negligence on the other part of the driver.
To prove that the other driver was negligent, you’ll have to do your part to gather evidence in the aftermath of the accident.
But what sort of evidence should you be on the lookout for?
Here are some general guidelines:
- Photographs of the accident scene. Walk around the scene of the accident and take pictures of the surrounding area from all directions, as well as close-ups and wide view shots. Be on the lookout for skid marks, traffic control devices (like stoplights or stop signs) and anything else that could be important. If you think that a potential witness had a good vantage point, take a picture from their location as well as getting their contact information.
- Photographs of injuries, if visible. If you have any visible injuries like cuts, scrapes, bruises or otherwise, take photos if you are able. This will help later when proving damages.
- Photographs of the vehicles. Take pictures of all cars involved in the accident, specifically focusing on the types of damage they incurred. This can help to determine how the accident happened and how fast the drivers were going, which in turn helps to prove who was at fault.
- Contact information. Get contact information for all drivers and witnesses present at the scene of the accident. However, if it is a hit-and-run accident, do not attempt to chase the other driver. Instead, call the police and focus on getting witness information.
- Police reports. Always call police to the scene of an accident so that they can prepare an official report. You are able to get a copy of this report to use in your case, as it is public record. The report could give the officer’s conclusion as to who was at fault in the accident.
For more information on the kinds of evidence you should gather after an accident, speak to the attorneys from Gaylord Popp today.
