A little forethought never hurts. Learning what to do after an accident can help you keep calm and composed at the scene. Being prepared can help you follow the appropriate steps after an accident to create a seamless claims process.
To begin, you can download and install your insurance company’s app. It also helps to save guidelines or forms needed for an insurance claim, just in case. Find a secure place in your vehicle to keep a copy of your vehicle registration, insurance card, and contact information. Also, make a reminder list of the things you will need to do at an accident scene.
The car crash attorneys at BDIW Law have spent decades looking out for their clients’ best interests in Bartlesville, Ponca City, and all over the state of Oklahoma. We speak clearly to our clients and function as tireless advocates while managing their accident claims.
Gathering Evidence at the Crash Scene
After a car crash, any personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits that may arise are developed and built with several articles of evidence. Any successful lawsuit needs to present these evidential items and data in a compelling way.
Attorneys can bring in professionals and experts to examine the data and reconstruct the car crash. But a wealth of vital evidence can only be found at the crash site, and the quicker this essential evidence is collected, the better. This collection of evidence often requires a crash victim to act fast.
This does not mean someone who was in a car crash should ignore their injuries or put themselves at harm in the process of gathering evidence. A seriously injured victim of a car crash should seek medical assistance immediately.
Types of Evidence to Gather
If one of the involved parties is able, evidence gathered at the scene of the crash can be indispensable. Some examples of this crash scene evidence include:
- Photos of any injuries caused by the crash
- Photos of the vehicles involved, showing any damage caused by the crash
- Photos of the crash scene – defects in the road, hazardous conditions, or construction work that may have contributed to the crash, skid marks, broken glass, debris from the wreck, any changes to the landscape caused by the accident, like damaged road signs and guardrails
- Videos drivers who are possibly impaired. (Do not approach or engage with anyone that may cause a confrontation. Remain polite and as calm as possible.)
- Contact information from everyone involved in the crash: drivers, passengers, witnesses, etc.
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SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY TODAYCompiling Evidence in the Aftermath of a Car Crash
In the aftermath of the accident, there is additional evidence that will need to be gathered and preserved in a timely manner. This secondary information includes:
- Obtaining the police report as soon as possible – Police reports should be done at the crash scene to avoid issues while filing a claim with insurance companies. The reporting officer can inform when the report will be available and how to access it.
- Keep all medical records and receipts in order – In order to be reimbursed for losses, it is essential to preserve any paperwork related to any injuries sustained in the crash and the medical treatment associated with recovery like medical records, receipts for medications (prescribed and over-the-counter), surgeries, rehabilitations, etc.
- Compile all vehicle maintenance records – This will rule out a vehicle’s failure or a faulty product being the cause of the crash.
- Obtain human resource records regarding work absences – To receive the correct compensation, it is crucial to compile exactly how much income was lost due to the injuries suffered in the crash.
Investigating Evidence from a Car Accident Attorney
In many circumstances, a car accident attorney can help with obtaining and preserving evidence. There are also times when evidence needs a court order to obtain. Often, it is an immense relief to seek a relationship with someone who has the resources and experience to deal with insurance claims and personal injury lawsuits.
Attorneys can gain access to evidence like logistical information and technical data that others may not be privy to. This type of evidence can come in many forms, but a few examples of the information attorneys routinely compile for evidence include:
- Cell phone records – These records can reveal whether a driver was texting or talking on their phone at the time of the accident. This lays the groundwork for a distracted driving claim.
- Recorded 911 calls – The state of the caller’s voice and their demeanor could be evidence of drunk driving or road rage. Recordings should be retrieved quickly because 911 calls are only saved for a limited time.
- Event data recorder (EDR) or a vehicle’s black box – Certain vehicles and all large commercial trucks contain an EDR which records various information about the vehicle. These often store data regarding a vehicle’s speed, braking, and steering prior to a crash.
- Investigate any vehicle recall reports – Any vehicle involved in a crash should be researched to ensure there are no vehicle recalls that may have contributed to the crash. Faulty, defective, or malfunctioning products may make the vehicle or parts manufacturers responsible for playing a role in the crash.
Contact BDIW Law for a Free Initial Consultation
Preserving evidence at the scene of a car accident puts you in a better position to obtain the compensation. It is crucial to contact an Oklahoma car accident lawyer as soon as you can. They can supply instructions about what needs to be preserved and assistance in how to preserve it.
If you or a loved one has been in an accident, BDIW is here to advocate for your rights and secure the compensation you need to recover. Our success comes from securing compensation for our clients. Call us for a free consultation to discuss your case, or contact us online.
