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Dealing with an accident’s aftermath isn’t always easy. On one hand, you are concerned about your health and how to move on with your life, on the other hand, you need compensation for the injuries and losses incurred if someone was responsible for the accident.

Planning what to do in such a situation can be hard, but it’s doable when you are determined.

If the party at fault isn’t willing to cooperate and compensate, then you can follow the legal process. Here, you will need to work with a lawyer and gather evidence. The evidence proves that you were involved in an accident and should get compensation for the case.

Keep reading to learn how to gather evidence to support your case effectively.

1. Document the Accident Scene

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One of the best ways to get evidence is to collect information at the accident scene. You should use a good camera for this but don’t worry if you don’t have one. We are in a digital age, and you could have a smartphone. In that case, you should use it to collect information from the scene. You can take both pictures and videos to show what happened.

Here are the main types of evidence that you can record at the accident scene.

• Vehicle Damage – Take clear photos that show the damages your car has. Ensure the images show the number plate well.
• Personal Injuries – You can take pictures and videos of your injuries. This can include the bruises you have and blood on your clothes.
• Road Condition – Take a picture showing the rod condition at the time of the accident. You can take photos of debris or other poor word conditions that might have contributed to the accident.
• Other Cars – As you take photos of your car, remember to document the other vehicle. You can even capture the driver’s image, mainly if you think they were driving under the influence.
• Traffic Lights – Traffic lights can have a significant impact on the success of your case. Record their condition using your phone as well.

If you want more clarity on evidence collection and help in filing the compensation, you can take the help of the car accident attorney. However, hire a local attorney, as they are easily accessible and have in-depth knowledge of local laws.  For instance, if you live in Valdosta, hire the best Valdosta car accident attorney.

2. Talk to the Other Driver and Eyewitnesses

Is the other driver able to speak? If yes, you can speak to them to view their story. As you talk, you should record them and get valuable that you can use in your case.

Important information includes the driver’s name, vehicle number, address, and driving license. Besides the driver, you should also talk to those around you who can act as eyewitnesses. When diving for a personal injury case, eyewitnesses play an essential role and can help increase the chances of winning.

So, talk to a few who are willing to testify for you. Record them as they speak, and ask them if they will also be willing to testify to the court. Remember to take note of their names.

3. Visit the Hospital and Keep Medical Records

Visiting the hospital is a crucial step when an accident is involved. Not only does the visit help you get medical help, but it also helps you gather evidence.

If you are injured, the court must check your medical records, so you shouldn’t skip this step. When you get to the hospital, ask your doctor to record all the tests you undergo. Whether they are lab tests or x-rays, keep them because you will need them.

Similarly, you should record the receipts for the costs you incur at the hospital and maintain reports of the medications or treatments you undergo. Your lawyer can help gather the medical reports if you are seriously injured and unable to do so.

4. Take a Police Report

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A police report is another essential piece of evidence that you should collect. In most cases, police show up in accident scenes. When they come, they record the case, showing the date and location of the accident.

However, you can also call them if they don’t show up. The police should create a report of the accident scene to help you prove your case.

5. Get Information from Surveillance Cameras

Getting photos and videos of the accident scene can be challenging, mainly if the other driver isn’t willing to cooperate. In such cases, you should go ahead to use surveillance cameras. These cameras provide a complete picture of what happened, including the other driver’s actions.

If you believe your recordings aren’t enough, request the CCTV information to gather more evidence.

6. Preserve your Communication Records

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After an accident, you will most likely talk to many people. These include the party at fault, their lawyer, the police, and doctors. Keep a record of your talks with people interested in the case. That information will help prove to the court that your statement is true.

7. Preserve the Physical Evidence

Don’t tamper with the physical evidence before the court or an inspector checks it. The physical evidence includes your car. Don’t paint or repair the physical damages soon because they act as your physical evidence.

Conclusion

The evidence you get after a car accident can make or break your case. As such, you should be keen to collect helpful information that will increase the success of your case. The evidence can be verbal, in pictures, or documented.

Keep it all, and work with a great lawyer to help you out as you focus on recovering.