What evidence should you gather at the scene of a car accident?

Slamming into another vehicle can cause your emotions to spiral as shock and confusion set in. It might take a minute for you to grasp the seriousness of the situation and assess your physical condition.

Allowing your emotions to take over could cause you to miss critical details of the accident. Knowing what evidence to collect at the scene can protect you against unfounded claims and costly repercussions.

Injuries and damage

Depending on where your crash occurred, you might need to move to a safer place. U.S. News says to call 911 and never assume that someone else already has. You will want first responders to arrive as soon as possible. Next, assess your physical condition and that of your passengers. If you can, get yourself to a safe place away from other traffic and road hazards.

Document your injuries and those of your passengers. Take photos that show where you got hurt. You should also take pictures of property damage. Take photos from several angles and from both close-up and further away. Document the condition of both the interior and exterior of your vehicle. Do the same with the other vehicles involved in the collision.

Location and position

You will also want to collect evidence of your location. Look for road signs to take pictures of, as well as recognizable landmarks in the area. Document the position of any vehicles involved in the crash before a tow company moves them.

Make sure you collect the personal contact and insurance information of all other involved drivers. If people witnessed your accident, you might also consider asking them to provide you with a witness statement. Lastly, make sure you receive a copy of the official accident report from authorities.

Your diligence in documenting evidence at the accident scene can corroborate your story. There is no such thing as having too much information. Everything you collect may provide critical support in helping you get fairly compensated for the trauma you endured.