A Step-by-Step Guide to Gathering Evidence After a Car Accident

The work starts moments after the crash. The scene of the accident is littered with clues that show how everything unfolded. So, once you have received medical attention, it’s crucial that you start gathering evidence from the scene:

The first step is to take pictures of all damage to the vehicle or public property, as well as any visible injuries. It also helps to capture the street, as the position of the skid marks can set the scene. If available, dashcam footage could also act as crucial evidence after a car crash, especially for determining who was at fault.

Once you’ve swapped contact information with the other driver(s), don’t forget to do the same for eyewitnesses. These records can supplement your claims and fill any gaps in your story, making them essential evidence of how an accident happened.

In California, statements must also be recorded and signed. This may not always be possible on the day. So, we recommend only taking down the contact details of bystanders while gathering evidence at the scene of the accident.

A car accident attorney in Glendale can help you record these statements at a later date.

The moments after an accident can be disorienting and hard to recall at a later date. When the incident is fresh in your head, take a few seconds to note down the sequence of events as they happened. It could be on a note app on your phone, or a scribble on a napkin — it doesn’t matter. These small details will help you build your case later.

An accident is likely to send pieces of debris flying across the street. This could include car parts, torn clothing, broken mirrors, and more. Provided the police haven’t seized any of these items, collect and keep them somewhere safe, as they can turn out to be crucial car accident evidence at a later stage.

The process of securing all evidence in a car crash case can’t be done in a day.

In fact, if you wish to pursue legal action, you will need to keep gathering car accident evidence for at least the next couple of weeks. The more proof you manage to collect, the higher your chances are of receiving compensation.

It’s possible that there were one or more security cameras in the area that captured the sequence of events. Visit nearby stores, gas stations, or homes and ask if they have any footage from the time of the accident. A surveillance video can offer unbiased, timestamped evidence of how an accident happened.

The police are usually first to the scene after an accident, gathering essential details about the location, date, time, and circumstances that led to the crash.

They will also record their own witness statements and take multiple photographs of the scene. Once their investigation has concluded, request a copy of this report to preserve as evidence for future insurance or compensation claims.

The California Public Records Act allows you to access information about the area surrounding the crash. This car accident evidence could include detailed blueprints of the street and surrounding buildings, diagrams of traffic light layouts, or documents related to previous crashes at the intersection.

For assistance accessing these or any other public records, contact an attorney.

As you build your case, don’t forget to maintain evidence of your medical bills. These documents don’t just prove you were hurt, they show how serious the injuries were, what treatment you needed, and the physical and financial impact of the accident.

Even if you aren’t seriously injured on the day, we recommend getting a check-up later. This won’t just confirm that you don’t develop delayed symptoms, it will also help you maintain a medical trail of the incident.

What evidence do you need to prove a car accident injury? Usually, having hospital discharge papers, receipts, prescriptions, and all bills goes a long way.

Get in touch with our Glendale personal injury attorneys to learn how these documents can help you claim compensation in California.

Once the dust has settled and a few days have passed, it’s crucial that you get in touch with the eyewitnesses from the day. Their testimonials could be a crucial tipping factor, deciding whether or not you receive compensation for a car accident.

If the accident took place in California, work with witnesses to record their statements. You could choose to record an audio file, video, or simply offer up a signed note as car accident evidence.

The final stage of gathering evidence after a car crash, unfortunately, involves more paperwork. All documents related to the crash and its aftermath must be kept for future reference. This could include correspondence with insurance companies, bills from the garage, tow truck receipts, lost wages documentation — if you missed any days of work — and much more. Ensure you keep all this paperwork organized, so you don’t accidentally misplace a crucial document.

You may have already noticed that the process of gathering evidence in a car crash case requires patience, time, and energy. Unfortunately, most of us can’t afford to spend days looking for new evidence to help make our case. To make your life easier, we recommend working with an attorney who understands how to navigate these waters.

At Pogosyan Law Firm, we don’t just ensure you have a strong case in court, we help collect all car accident evidence, from tricky police records to crucial eyewitness statements. Get in touch with our law firm in Glendale to learn more.