How to Preserve Evidence at the Scene of an Accident

The moments after a car accident go by quickly. Whether you were injured or not, and whether your vehicle was damaged or not, there is a sense of panic and surprise that comes over you when you experience an accident. This is normal – it’s human nature to react with a rush of adrenalin when we feel ourselves, even briefly, in danger. Your goal in such a situation shouldn’t be to avoid the shock and surprise – but rather to learn how to control it as quickly as possible. The time directly after the accident may be vital to the upcoming police report, insurance payouts, and even lawsuits that may result. If you find yourself at the scene of an accident, slow down, take a few deep breaths, and know the best way to go about preserving evidence and nailing down the truth of the situation as accurately as possible.

There are several key steps you should take at the scene after your car accident:

Determine if Anyone is Injured

The wellbeing of those involved in the accident is your first priority. Check yourself first, remembering that back and neck injuries may take time to manifest, so you shouldn’t immediately assume you are fine; move carefully and gently. Once you’ve established your own condition, check on passengers as well as the other driver and his/ her passengers. Any serious injuries take a front seat to evidence preservation, and everything else, and 911 should be called immediately.

Call the Police

Many people don’t believe they need police presence at an accident, but the police can do something you cannot: act as a third party in order to take statements from everyone involved. Police are also trained in drawing diagrams of the scene and remembering possibly vital details that others may forget, such as recording the speed of travel, noting weather conditions, license plate numbers, and any number of small but important pieces of information.  

Take Photographs

If you’re lucky enough to have a camera on you, even the one that’s built into your cell phone, it’s in your best interests – and possibly the best interests of the other driver, too – to snap photographs of the scene. While you should get photos of damage to the vehicles, also do your best to record the scene as a whole. Such images might be vital later on in establishing disputed evidence like the exact placement of vehicles, obstacles, etc.

Know Who You’re Dealing With – and Write it All Down

Neither driver should leave the scene of the accident without providing the other with full contact details, including a full name, phone number, insurance provider, address, and any other important information. You should also record the license plate and a description of the other vehicle. Along with the other driver, look around for witnesses and make sure to get their names and contact information. The police will most likely be getting this, too, but there is no harm in you backing up the information yourself – your insurance company will want it, too. 

An accident scene can be a chaotic and stressful thing to face, but the key is staying calm and collecting as much information as is available to you. Remember that, as the Chinese proverb says, the palest ink is better than the best memory, and keep a detailed record of everything you can. Nailing down the details now will preserve them for later, and ultimately lead to a better outcome for everyone involved.

Getting Help

As soon as possible after the accident, you should contact a qualified personal injury attorney. He can help you understand what evidence you may need to prove your case and can assist you in gathering evidence, dealing with insurance companies, and otherwise dealing with the aftermaths of an accident and the effects of your injuries.