Having your afternoon drive disturbed by an accident with another negligent driver can quickly change the trajectory of your day. One minute you’re en route to get your weekly errands done, and the next, you’ve suffered injuries to your neck, back, and possibly more. In a perfect world, when another driver or third party is at fault for the accident, you can safely exit your vehicle and begin to gather evidence for your case.
However, the world of motor vehicle collisions is not a predictable one, and in many cases collecting evidence can come with considerable risk. At the end of the day, whether or not you are able to collect evidence safely depends on the circumstances surrounding your accident. It’s always better to err on the side of caution and let your knowledgeable attorney pick up the missing pieces later.
Ways to Safely Collect Evidence After a Car Accident
Car accidents leave all parties involved at risk of injury. Whether it’s whiplash that doesn’t reveal itself until two days after the accident or immediate damage to the back, neck, or legs, the injured party is often unable to do anything after the accident. If you believe you could be injured, it’s best to safely exit the vehicle and immediately seek out professional medical attention.
On the other hand, if you are able to do so safely and securely, collecting evidence is a great way to begin building your personal injury case. Only do so if you can safely avoid other moving motor vehicles and not risk further injury to yourself or other parties. Phones are a wonderful and quick way to collect time-sensitive evidence, including photographs and video footage of the scene. If possible, you can also ask eyewitnesses to stay around and officially detail their experience to the police as they file a report.
Why Evidence is Important After a Utah Car Accident
To receive damages for your injuries, you must first be able to demonstrate the other party was negligent. This means that their reckless actions directly resulted in the accident and, therefore, your injuries. One of the clearest ways to do this is through evidence. Evidence that can be collected at the scene of the accident includes:
- Photographs of the accident
- Video footage of the aftermath
- Eyewitness testimony
- Police report
- A medical examination conducted immediately after the crash
If you are too injured or overwhelmed to have safely gathered any information, it’s essential to speak with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. They will immediately begin investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident and work diligently to obtain time-sensitive evidence, such as traffic camera footage. Using the collected information, they will demonstrate that the other party’s negligence directly resulted in your injuries and that you are rightfully owed damages.
Speak With an Attorney About Your Best Legal Options Today
Depending on where your accident occurred, safely obtaining photographs or eyewitness accounts might not have been a viable option for you to do safely. Whether you were able to snap a few photos or not, the dedicated team at Feller & Wendt is here to help. Our services are personalized and aggressive, meaning we listen with compassionate ears and fight with every resource we have available.
Let us begin the process of getting you the compensation you need for a fresh start today. A consultation is free. Call our Utah office at (801) 499-5060 or use our contact form to arrange an appointment with an attorney to discuss your best legal options today.
