Photographs & Notes Can Help You in Car Accident Lawsuits

The average car accident lawsuit takes anywhere from 3 months to a year to be argued before the court. During that time, most of your exact memories and recollections of how things happened can vanish, or eyewitnesses can forget what exactly happened. When involved in a car accident, it is important that you take detailed notes and photographs of the accident to provide ample evidence to the court.

One of the best ways to ensure you have the ability to get this evidence gathered is by having an “accident” kit in the car. Many auto shops sell these, but one can make their own by having a disposable camera and paper and pens to get the minimum information, along with road flares and emergency contact information just in case.

How detailed notes can help your case

Surprisingly, in many states the law no longer requires the police to file reports on every car accident. Usually, they will only create reports on the incident if there is serious damage or injuries involved. As soon as you finish exchanging contact and insurance information with the other driver, you should jot down your impressions of what had happened. Although an accident can be a traumatic event, it is important that you try to jot down everything you can remember. If there are any witnesses around, you should ask them to write what they had observed, and to provide contact information.

In the event of injuries or serious trauma, you need to try to write a detailed narrative of what happened as soon as possible. The longer you wait to do so, the less likely you will be able to remember exactly what had happened. Your report is most accurate when the memories are still fresh in your mind.

How Photographs can help your case

The old saying is a picture says a thousand words. However, if you don’t take the right kind of pictures, you won’t be able to convey the damages you’ve incurred. When photographing the scene of the accident, it’s important to take very detailed pictures of the car damage and the surroundings of the accident. You need to get up close pictures of the dents and damages to show the extent of the accident. Taking pictures from multiple angles will also help give a better idea of the accident scene.

If there are weather issues, or road problems, you should take pictures of the area as well to show the conditions that led to the accident. Take pictures of any skid marks or debris on the road to help bolster your case. Promptly develop the pictures so you can make notes on the back to help provide more details.

Do you need a lawyer?

If you’ve been involved in a car accident, you should speak with a lawyer immediately. By having a lawyer look at your notes and photographs, the lawyer can help evaluate your case and ensure that your rights are protected. Getting a lawyer on board early will help ensure that every step of the case is covered and that your case has the best chance of being settled successfully.