- January 15, 2024
One of the simplest ways of making the most of your free case review with a Baton Rouge car accident lawyer is to bring all the relevant evidence with you. Unfortunately, many accident victims come empty-handed, because they did not know how to gather evidence after a car accident.
In this article, we will explain what you should do immediately after the collision.
1. Get the Other Driver’s Contact and Insurance Details
After a car accident, drivers should exchange contact and information details. You should also take note of their license plate number. In many cases, cars involved in crashes are borrowed from a family member or a friend.
In this case, your lawyer will have to find the car owner and ask about their insurance coverage.
2. Take Photos and Videos of the Entire Scene
Although the police officers will include details about the damage caused to both vehicles and a description of the scene in the accident report, you should not rely only on this piece of evidence. Using your mobile phone, you should take as many photos and videos of the crash scene as you can.
Here are a few guidelines for taking photos:
- Use landmarks to show distance and scale
- Include nearby traffic signs and signals
- Get views of the entire scene and both cars
- Take detailed pictures of damage to your car
- Take photos of your injuries
- Take pictures of damaged property (like a laptop)
- Take photos showing weather and road conditions
- Photograph skid marks, debris, and other details.
3. Look for CCTV Cameras and Note Their Position
A Baton Rouge car accident attorney can obtain CCTV camera footage, even if the respective camera is situated on private property. They know how to talk to owners, or even make a formal request for the recording.
Taking note of the existence and location of CCTV cameras is an essential part of gathering evidence after a car accident.
4. Note Eyewitnesses’ Contact Details
Eyewitness statements can play a vital role in supporting your case. Some eyewitnesses have not only their story to tell but also photos or videos they may have taken at the exact moment of the accident.
This is why attorneys always want to talk to any available eyewitnesses and get their testimony. You should ask them for their name and phone number immediately after the crash. Some of them may not want to get involved in your case – understand their position and do not insist. But most people are willing to help someone in need.
5. Record Your Own Story of the Crash as Soon as Possible
Use your phone to record yourself describing the accident as soon as possible after it happened. Describe exactly what you saw and heard and include any details you can see around you.
This description could be extremely valuable for your attorney as it may contain important details, that you may forget after time.
Bring Your Evidence to an Experienced Baton Rouge Car Accident Lawyer!
Once the doctors pronounce you out of danger and release you from the hospital, get in touch with an experienced Baton Rouge car accident lawyer. Make sure to bring all the above evidence to the first appointment, allowing the attorney to evaluate the merits of your case.
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning your lawyer gets paid after winning the case. We offer each new client a free case review, so call us at (888) 407-0911!
