A car accident is a traumatic event that can leave you dazed and confused. You may not know what to do after an accident, but some steps will help your case in court. If you can take pictures, do so. If you cannot, try to get someone to take them for you. This is the most critical thing people forget to do when in an accident. It is highly understandable, but it is vital in your case. Exchanging information such as phone numbers, addresses, insurance companies, and checking on everyone at the scene is critical and may save a person’s life. You will also need an Indianapolis car accident attorney if you are from that area to represent you to ensure you get the proper care and compensation.
The Things You Need at the Scene of a Car Accident
The key here is to document everything immediately following the incident, so it’s fresh in your mind. Take notes on who witnessed the accident, so you have testimony should their information be needed later. Photographs of the scene should be taken, and photos of any damage to your vehicle or personal property. It may seem like overkill now, but it will prove invaluable if you end up filing a claim for injuries or seeking compensation for business expenses due to lost revenue due to missing work because of the accident.
Things You Should Not Do after a Car Accident
Don’t admit fault; this may seem counter-intuitive, but it’s best to avoid this for legal purposes. Even if you think you were wholly or predominantly at fault, it’s better to say nothing than let your foot slip and admit guilt. If there are any witnesses, take their contact info to be contacted as well.
Avoid speaking with the other party until after consulting a lawyer. There may be all sorts of motives that play into an accident: insurance fraud, payouts from collectors, or someone looking for retribution on another person. It’s important not to speak with anyone until you’re sure what your next steps should entail and how it might affect your case in court.
More Important Ideas about Gathering Information
You will want to create a timeline of events based on the accident itself as well as your personal injury. If you are being charged with any criminal activity, be sure to have a lawyer present before speaking with law enforcement officials or providing any statement. Finally, contact an attorney specializing in cases involving similar accidents if your case progresses beyond the initial investigation phase. An experienced legal professional can guide you through filing a claim or building a case based on evidence and testimony, which will help ensure the most positive results for you in court.
You may also want to consider hiring an accident reconstructionist who can investigate both your accident as well as accidents you may have witnessed but weren’t involved with personally. They may offer additional information that could prove invaluable to your case, whether used during testimony or not. Most attorneys have a team of investigators who will do this, but you want to check and ensure they have this. If not, you will find it beneficial to hire one of your own.
In the end, what you do after an accident will be critical to your case. Whether seeking compensation for damages or helping to prove your innocence, remember that every step should be documented. Speaking with others can affect your legal rights, so it is important not to talk about anything without the proper legal representation. With the aid of an experienced attorney specializing in cases like yours, you can build a strong case based on evidence that will give you positive results when moving forward in court.
How Will the Attorney Handle the Information about an Accident?
The attorney will take every statement, document every action, and interview all present witnesses. This is done to build a strong case for their client in court proceedings. They need this information to ensure they put forth accurate information on how each step was handled. Hence, they have the best chance at winning whatever legal battle might ensue during or after the accident.
This is a complex case, but it may be easier to handle with the correct information. All information is used to combat insurance companies where appropriate and only when necessary. They will use this information to ensure they have the best chance at winning whatever legal battle might ensue during or after the accident.
The Right to Remain Silent
There is an exception regarding speaking with other parties involved. If someone has been arrested or charged with criminal activity, it would be unwise to speak with anyone without having an attorney present because what you say could admit guilt which will show up in court. It’s better to keep silent until your legal team knows exactly what is going on, providing the best legal representation. Filling out the police report should only have the facts as you know it and nothing more.
You can often feel tempted to talk about an accident with others, but there are reasons you need to remain quiet until you know precisely what is going on. Let your attorney or investigators do all of the work of explaining the information at this time because they are professionals and will handle it as they think is most beneficial for you.
What Does an Accident Reconstructionist Do?
An accident reconstructionist will investigate both your accident and accidents that you may have witnessed but weren’t involved with personally to gather details that may be relevant to prove innocence or guilt in court proceedings. These people often help develop an accurate timeline of events which helps build a strong case. All of the information is gathered, but this process of recreating the accident scene is the final nail in the coffin that could win your case. Gather the right information, and you will fly on an eagle’s wings throughout the process.
