At the Scene Of an Accident What You Need To Get

By Ben Glass, Esquire

Benjamin W. Glass and Associates

. https://www.benglasslaw.com/

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At the Scene Of an Accident What You Need To Get

You probably know that if you are involved in an accident, you will need your car insurance, license, and registration. You probably also know that if someone was injured in the accident, the police will need to come to the scene. But there are some less obvious, yet very important, pieces of information that may need to be gathered that you were never told to get.

If possible and it is safe to do so, get accident photographs before the cars are moved. A few photographs of the positioning of both cars and their location on the road can, in some circumstances, provide clear evidence of what occurred.

Just remember that context is everything and if your photograph is a close-up, it may not be clear what occurred. Take some photographs of the damage immediately after the accident occurred, even if it's minor. In some instances, people will claim additional damages that were unrelated to the accident that you were involved in and your photographs may be a key piece of evidence in the event of a dispute.

Get the contact information and statements of unrelated witnesses when possible. Witnesses who have no relation to the parties involved in the accident and who saw the accident unfold are like gold to an adjuster. People who do not have a vested interest in the outcome of an accident are more reliable and valuable in confirming the accident events. In some cases, they had the best perspective to see what happened.

If you think someone saw the accident, make sure you get their information and see if they can stick around to provide their account of the accident to the police officer when he arrives. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for parties involved in an accident to provide inaccurate information about what transpired when they have an interest in the outcome of the investigation. Frequently, the most compelling and deciding information about the liability of an accident comes from witnesses.

The basic message here is to collect all the information you can safely and reasonably gather when the accident happens. Keep in mind that you usually cannot get any more information after you leave the scene. Police officers and adjusters will assist in the investigation, but don't leave anything to chance. Also, remember that you don't have to be cynical about the other party involved. Many people are honest and upfront about the facts of the accident, but some people are not, and you won't know that fact until when it matters most.

This information may become valuable if a claim goes to court, so be thorough. Trust me, your attorney will appreciate all the information and evidence available when it becomes crunch time.