What Information Should I Collect at the Scene of a Car Crash?

Car accidents are extremely stressful events, so it’s not uncommon for those who are involved in such collisions to forget to take certain steps (like gathering information about the other driver) in all the commotion. Collecting certain information, however, is of the utmost importance when it comes to filing a legal claim at a later date, so when possible, accident victims should try to remain calm and remember the following checklist in the event of a crash.

The Other Driver’s Information 

Some of the most important information that you’ll need following a car accident are details about the other drivers involved in the crash. This includes:

• The other driver’s name and contact information;
• The other driver’s insurance provider and policy number; and
• The other driver’s license plate number.

Some of this information can be gathered at a later date, especially when injuries are so severe that a victim requires emergency transport or care. If, however, injuries are not severe, it’s critical to gather this information, as failing to do so can make it a lot more difficult to identify a driver at a later date or prove that he or she was the at-fault party. This is especially true in cases where there are multiple vehicles and drivers involved.

Eyewitness Information 

A lot of accidents happen in front of witnesses, who can later testify as to the course of events leading up to the crash. Other occupants of your vehicle can play a similar role in proving fault. For the former, it’s important to obtain their contact information before they leave the scene of the accident. This ensures that the injured party’s legal team can later reach out to those individuals when investigating the crash or trying to recreate the accident. Eyewitness testimony is a vital source of evidence that parties can miss out on if they fail to identify the eyewitness early in the process.

Information About the Accident Scene 

Besides contact information, accident victims should also be sure to take note of any important details about the accident scene itself. Taking photos at this early stage can be particularly helpful, with drivers encouraged to take pictures from multiple angles and at a variety of distances. This ensures that later on, an investigative team can carefully recreate the crash, including the direction the vehicles were facing. It’s also a good idea to take note of the specific location of the accident, including any cross streets or traffic cameras that you may see.

Here to Help After Your Florida Car Accident 

Besides providing strong evidence for an eventual legal claim, taking down important information at the scene of an accident can help injured parties recall the details of their crash, even after a significant amount of time has passed. At Boone & Davis, our experienced Florida car accident attorneys can walk you through the information that you’ll need to improve your chances of filing a successful claim. Call us at 954-566-9919 to get started on your case today.

Source: 

forbes.com/advisor/car-insurance/what-to-do-after-accident/