A car crash can be catastrophic, with injuries that range in severity from cuts and bruises to traumatic brain injury.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you may be able to file a personal injury claim that compensates you for your medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and other losses.
This article highlights what to do after a car accident, which includes assembling the evidence needed to show you were injured and that the other driver was at fault.
What to Collect at the Scene of the Car Crash
After an auto accident, your first priority should be your own well-being. Call 911 to report the collision and request the police and an ambulance.
While you’re waiting for both to arrive, you can collect key evidence for a car crash, which includes:
- Taking pictures of all the vehicles involved. Focus on signs of damage, such as dented doors, crushed fenders, and broken windshields. If your phone was damaged in the car crash, ask a witness if you can use theirs and have them email the pictures to you.
- Get the names, contact information, and statements of any witnesses.
- Ask the other driver for their contact information, driver’s license, and insurance details
- Take videos of the accident scene. Make sure you capture any road debris and factors that may have contributed to the accident, such as slick roads or obscured stop signs.
When the police arrive, get the badge numbers of the officers involved and ask them to send you a copy of their report once they complete it.
Police accident investigation reports are an especially vital piece of evidence for a car crash.
What to Collect at the Hospital
If you have visible injuries, go to the hospital in an ambulance. Even if you don’t think you’ve been seriously hurt, seek medical attention anyway, as not all injuries are immediately apparent. After you’ve been assessed and treated.
After an auto accident, your first priority should be your own well-being. Call 911 to report the collision and request the police and an ambulance.
While you’re waiting for both to arrive, you can collect key evidence for a car crash, which includes:
- Invoices for medical treatments
- Test results
- Diagnostic imaging results
- Doctors’ notes
- Treatment plans
- Prescriptions
As your treatment continues, be sure to save all reports and invoices, as they both document the extent of your injuries and the financial costs incurred.
What to Collect at the Auto Body Shop
Repair costs are another important piece of evidence for a car crash claim. Be sure to collect the following:
- Invoices
- Damage photos
Both prove financial loss in the property damage aspect of your claim.
Get In Touch With A Car Accident Lawyer
When you’ve been injured by the negligence of another driver, you deserve compensation that helps you move forward.
To get started, seek a free case evaluation from a personal injury attorney. An attorney will deal with the claim on your behalf and seek maximum compensation so you can focus on recovering.
