The Importance of Documenting Property Damage/Injuries After a Car Accident
Even minor car crashes can cost victims thousands of dollars in repair bills and medical expenses. Paying these costs can put a significant amount of financial strain on injured parties and their families, which can be especially frustrating to those who did not cause or contribute to their accident. Fortunately, injured parties can and should collect compensation from those whose negligence or recklessness caused the crash. Collecting convincing evidence can be crucial to a plaintiff’s ability to hold the negligent parties accountable, so if you were recently injured in a crash or suffered property damage, it is important to contact an experienced car accident attorney who can help establish your case.
Steps to Take After an Accident
Car accidents are stressful and in many cases, traumatic, so it can be difficult for those who are involved to remain objective and calm. However, it is in an accident victim’s best interest to attempt to do so, especially if one or more of the parties sustained serious injuries. After calling emergency responders and ensuring that injured parties receive medical attention, a person who has been in an accident should consider taking the following steps:
- Photographing the scene of the accident, including all of the vehicles involved, the damage done to the cars, any accident debris, and road conditions. Carefully preserving the scene can prove crucial to establishing fault. It can also be very helpful to take photographs of any injuries prior to treatment.
- Writing down observations, including details about the accident, who was involved, whether anyone left the scene, and anything that appears unusual. Recording this information is important because accident victims often forget key details over time.
- Recording witness contact information, including their names and phone numbers. The responding police officers will often take witness statements from those who saw the accidents, but in many cases, the observers leave the scene before police arrive. Collecting their contact information ensures that in the event of trial, the injured party has access to eyewitness testimony.
While taking these steps can prove crucial to establishing fault, it is important to remember that accident victims should not interfere with medical professionals and law enforcement. If there is no way to take photographs without getting in the way of EMTs, then the parties involved should wait until the area is clear.
Contact a Car Accident Attorney Today
Investigating a case requires the work of an experienced legal team. It may also be necessary to take witness depositions, double check the defendant’s statements, interview expert witnesses, and perform lab tests. To ensure that your case is thoroughly investigated and that you are aggressively represented, whether in negotiations or in the courtroom, it is critical to speak with an experienced lawyer. Please contact Boone & Davis at 954-566-9919 today to schedule a free consultation with a dedicated Fort Lauderdale car accident attorney. You can also reach us by initiating a live chat with a member of our legal team or sending us a brief message that includes your name, phone number, email address, and a brief description of your case.
Resource:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0768/Sections/0768.81.html
