Protect Your Rights after a Traffic Accident: Document the Scene

In this age of ubiquitous “image making” devices – including smart phones – little excuse exists for properly documenting the scene of a traffic accident to protect your rights and interests. Three important admonishments must be kept in mind before focusing on the specific steps you must take to document the scene of a traffic accident:

First, make sure that you get yourself and others out or harm’s way before documenting the scene.

Second, call law enforcement to the scene of the accident to ensure that an official report is made of the incident. Even if the other side says they will take care of your bills, always call the police.

Third, if you do not need to go to the hospital start taking photos or videos of the accident scene as well as in collecting statements from witnesses to the incident.

Fourth, follow up with medical treatment.

In making a photographic or video record of the accident scene, thoroughly take images of each vehicle involved in the collision, and of their relationships to one another. This means making sure you take photos or a video of the vehicles from all angles and perspectives.

Once you have completed the process of photographing or videoing the vehicles, take images of the area surrounding the scene of the accident. This includes everything from cross streets to traffic signs and signals. The fact is that you can never take too many images relating to an accident scene. However, the failure to take enough images can be detrimental to any claim for injuries or losses that you make as a result of the accident.

Documenting the scene of a traffic accident does not end with taking photographs or making a video. Interview witnesses to the accident. Obtain basic information from these individuals that includes their names and contact information, as well as a brief statement of what they did or did not observe. Collect this information from witnesses, whether or not their observations support your position regarding the cause of the accident. Do not rely on insurance companies or even law enforcement to obtain appropriate statements from witnesses to an accident.

Once you complete the process of thoroughly documenting the scene of a traffic accident, make multiple copies of the photos, video and statements. Do not store all copies of these materials in one location. For example, keep a set at your home and another in a safe deposit box at your bank.

If you are dealing with the aftermath of a traffic accident, contact the law offices of Harding & Associates. You can schedule an obligation free consultation with us by calling 303-762-9500 or 800-878-7888, or emailing us at info@hlaw.org.