It’s often difficult to know what to do after a car accident. Evidence must be gathered and preserved so that it can be used, but what does that look like? What evidence do you need, how can you gather it, and how can you make sure it is available when you need it?
Our Rhode Island car accident lawyers are here to guide you through every step. We share what types of evidence to collect and explain why sharing this information with your attorney is essential.
5 Critical Pieces of Car Accident Evidence
Accident scene documentation vividly depicts what happened and who may be at fault. Here are five types of evidence to gather if you're able:
- Photographs and videos. Capture multiple angles of the vehicles and the surrounding area. Get close-ups of damage, debris, skid marks, traffic controls, visible injuries, and anything else you think might be relevant.
- Witness information. Collect names and contact details for anyone who saw the crash. Their objective perspective can be invaluable in disputed liability cases.
- Police report. Call the police to the scene. Get the responding officer's name and badge number. The official accident report will contain critical details.
- Driver information. Exchange license, registration, and insurance details with the other driver(s). Snap pictures of these documents with your phone in case a driver gives false info.
- Accident notes. Jot down your recollection of what happened while it's fresh in your mind. Include the date, time, location, weather, and any other relevant factors.
While this information could help your claim, don’t worry if you were too hurt or stunned to act at the accident scene. You can still collect evidence after the accident scene is cleared with the help of an experienced Rhode Island car accident lawyer.
How to Gather and Preserve Car Accident Evidence
The quality and authenticity of your documentation matters. Follow these evidence collection tips:
- Take both wide-angle and close-up photos/videos
- Capture legible images of documents and IDs
- Use the timestamp and geo-tag features on your phone
- Avoid editing or altering photos/videos
- Upload files to cloud storage or email them to yourself
- Write detailed notes about what happened
- Keep all records, receipts, and paperwork related to the crash
Proper preservation maintains the integrity of your evidence and prevents accusations of tampering down the road.
Why You Need to Share Accident Documentation With Your Rhode Island Car Accident Lawyer
One of the first things your Rhode Island car accident lawyer will ask for is any evidence you've collected from the crash scene. Here's why providing thorough documentation to counsel is so crucial:
- It allows your attorney to conduct an immediate in-depth case evaluation
- Reviewing evidence together helps you recall important details
- Your lawyer can identify key facts and potential challenges early on
- Prompt analysis guides your attorney's next steps and strategy
- Documentation helps your lawyer secure evidence before it disappears
Don't Have Accident Scene Evidence? You Still Have Options
Severe injuries may have prevented you from collecting evidence at the crash site. Don't worry—you can still pursue an injury claim with the help of an experienced Rhode Island car accident lawyer. Your attorney can:
- Track down the police report and 911 call recordings
- Interview witnesses and first responders
- Obtain nearby surveillance camera footage
- Have an accident reconstruction expert inspect the scene
- Request vehicle data recorder ("black box") information
- Gather your medical records documenting injuries
- Locate photos and video videos of the scene posted on social media
The sooner you involve a lawyer, the faster they can get to work preserving critical proof to support your case.
Even if you have little to no documentation, schedule a consultation with a knowledgeable Rhode Island car accident lawyer. They can advise you of your rights, explore all potential sources of evidence, and fight for the maximum compensation you need to move forward after a devastating wreck.