It's not uncommon for people to rely exclusively on police reports for evidence after a crash. A police report tells an unbiased side of the story. It involves physical details that indicate how a crash occurs, the environmental factors involved, and the behaviors of and statements from concerned parties. If any citations are issued or arrests are made, that will be included as well.
Being your own detective can also add additional evidence to support your claim. By collecting evidence at the scene of a crash, you give your attorney more tools to work with when building a legal case against the at-fault driver and his or her insurance provider.
Where do I start?
First and foremost, you must follow the standard procedures immediately after a crash. Move your car out of traffic, if you're able to. Then, check on other parties involved and call 911 (be sure to report any serious injuries). Lastly, you will need to exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver(s) involved.
While you're waiting for the police to arrive, you can begin doing your own investigating. Here's how to start:
- Get visual evidence: Take videos and pictures of the crash scene from multiple angles. Be sure to capture damage done to all cars involved, as well as tire marks and damage to roadside objects.
- Note important details: If you have a pen and a piece of paper, be sure to take note of nearby surveillance cameras, the weather conditions, road conditions, and behaviors or statements made by the at-fault driver.
- Speak to witnesses: The testimony of a witness is very powerful when it comes to building a strong legal case. When you have the word of a witness, it's no longer your word against the other driver's.
- Obtain dash cam footage: If you have a dash cam installed in your car, you may have footage of the actions of the at-fault driver that led to your crash. If you don't have a dash cam, a witness who stopped to help may have captured the actions of the at-fault driver.
How can my evidence be used by my attorney?
After you report your crash to your insurance provider and seek prompt medical attention, be sure to consult with an experienced Connecticut car accident attorney as soon as possible.
Never speak to the at-fault driver's insurance company, even if they try to contact you. Let an attorney at the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone & Morelli deal with the insurance companies on your behalf. We will employ a winning legal strategy to help maximize your compensation.
Schedule your free and confidential case evaluation with our legal team. Contact us online to get started.