Do you remember your first smartphone? According to recent surveys, approximately 91% of Americans own some version of a smartphone. Those phones provide a fantastic amount of access to the internet, streaming channels, email, and apps.
They might also become your most valuable tool if you ever find yourself in a car accident.
Yes, using your smartphone to call 9-1-1 after an accident is vital. After that, you’ll want to access your phone’s camera to document damage from the car accident. The evidence you collect will become critical to proving your version of the accident, and that can make all the difference in whether or not you’re successful at obtaining fair compensation for any losses.
You can also support your claim by seeking experienced legal counsel from an Alexandria car accident lawyer like the one you’ll find at Curcio Law. We have been successful in helping our clients take on the big insurance carriers to secure the maximum benefits they are entitled to.
Our support begins with a thorough investigation into the accident. That is where all the evidence comes into play. The following are the many ways you can document your car accident:
Photos and Videos
The primary goal after a collision between two cars is to check for injuries and call the police and medical support. You also need to move your vehicles out of the way of incoming traffic if possible. However, before that happens, you should try to take photos and videos of the accident scene.
Here’s what you need to capture:
Point of Impact
You need to have photos and videos from every angle of the point of impact between your car and the other vehicle. These photos should include close-ups, medium shots, and wide shots. If you can, reach over to take photos from above the impact as well.
Road Conditions
Your smartphone photos and videos should also document the road conditions. Was it raining, snowing, or sleeting? Were the roads wet, covered in snow, or covered in ice? Did the accident happen on an incline or a decline?
Was a pothole a factor in the accident? All of that needs to be documented. Photos of skid marks from tires would also be considered important evidence.
Weather and Light Conditions
Every picture you take will demonstrate the time of day of the accident and the prevailing light and weather conditions. You might also take a general video of the area and narrate what you see.
Witness Statements
If any witnesses have stopped at the scene, you’ll want to get their contact information. You can also record their initial statement on your phone so that you can “lock it in.” That can help with their memory recall later on.
Property Damage
Once your car has been cleared from the scene, you can take additional photos and videos of the exterior and interior. This will be known as your property damage. The adjuster assigned to your claim will take many of the same photos.
If it’s evident that your car has been totaled, you’ll want to have documentation from the adjuster or the auto mechanic to whom you towed the car.
With a totaled car, insurance companies rely on websites like Kelly Blue Book to assess a car’s value by the make, model, and mileage. Keep in mind that your car’s value is based on the value at the time of the accident. It will never be what you paid for the car.
Police Crash Report
Another vital piece of evidence for your car accident claim will be the police crash report. This is the official report made by the officer who reports to the scene. The report will contain all the relevant details of the accident. It can also include any citations that were issued. That can help you establish liability.
You can obtain a copy of your crash report through the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.
Medical Documentation
The damages from a car accident also include your injuries. In addition to photos of the injuries, you’ll also want to have complete copies of all your medical records, starting with the first trip to an emergency room.
Putting Your Evidence to Work
Once you’ve thoroughly documented the damages from your car accident, you’ll want to share it with the attorneys at Curcio Law.
We have years of experience documenting car accidents and applying all the relevant evidence to support our clients’ claims. We will only take on a case if we’re confident of the outcome, and that will always depend on the evidence.
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, we want to hear from you. Contact us to schedule a complimentary consultation today.
