Emotions can run high after a car accident, but you may still need to pay attention. Suppose your injuries do not prevent you from moving, and you’ve determined the other people involved in the crash are okay. In that case, you must gather evidence for a possible legal proceeding.
The insurance companies will contact you regarding the car accident to determine if your vehicle can be repaired and to what extent injuries occurred during the accident.
Atlanta, GA, stands as one of the United States’ major cities, experiencing a steady population growth for over a decade. The U.S. Census data reveals an impressive surge of nearly 20 percent in Atlanta’s population within ten years. Amidst the rising numbers and the accompanying surge in traffic, Atlanta drivers find themselves confronting a range of hazards and safety obstacles on the roads.
If you are an Atlanta resident and have been in a car accident, you must consider speaking to an experienced lawyer after a car accident in Atlanta. These are some of the steps in documenting a car accident and how to gather evidence for legal proceedings.
1. Photos Will Tell Your Car Accident’s Story
There will be a lot of written information needed to explain your car accident. However, photos will give a better story of what happened. Before taking photos, ensure you are safely out of the way of any traffic in the area. You should also contact emergency services and report the accident.
Use your phone to take photos of the car accident scene. Include in your collection of photos the condition of both vehicles and show the direction both (or any vehicles involved) were traveling before the collision. Your photos should also include close-ups of the vehicles, the intersection, and all traffic and road signs.
2. Gather A List Of Names And Contacts
Gather all names and contacts of those who have witnessed the accident. The police will have gathered a list too. However, you should also get a list of as many as possible to assist in your case. The insurance adjuster can use this list and talk to witnesses to get a better understanding of what caused the car accident. A car accident lawyer will also be able to use this information to support your claim.
Along with the information of witnesses, you also need the name and information of the other driver or drivers involved in the car accident. Include these driver’s insurance information as well. While the police may be recording all this information, it doesn’t hurt to have your own lists for backup.
3. Collect Medical Information
If you have received medical attention for any injuries resulting from the car accident, you will want a record of these treatments. If you’ve been taken to the hospital by ambulance or have seen a doctor following the car accident, all these records should be collected. If you pursue recovery of your out-of-pocket expenses for your injuries, you will need documentation of your treatments.
Your collection of medical information should include all medical bills related to the car accident injuries and the doctor’s diagnosis. The insurance adjuster is going to need this information to file an automobile insurance claim.
4. Keep Track Of All Receipts
In some cases, a person cannot wait for an insurance claim to finalize because they need their transportation. If you have to repair your vehicle damaged in a car accident before the insurance claim is finalized, keep track of all receipts. The insurance adjuster is going to need these receipts to reimburse you for any costs for repairs to your vehicle because of a car accident.
5. Obtain The Police Report Filed For Your Car Accident
Even if the evidence shows the other driver was responsible for the car accident you were injured in, you will need documentation to support the facts surrounding the accident. The police report is a critical piece of evidence if you want a successful insurance claim.
A few days after the car accident occurred, the police should have a report ready and available to you. In the police report, there will be factual details of how the car accident happened, including:
- The location, time, and date the car accident happened
- Insurance information, names, addresses, and phone numbers for those involved in the accident, including passengers
- Any type of damages to the vehicles involved in the collision
- Witness contact information
- A hand-drawn diagram of the accident scene
- Any potential contributing factors, including the roadway, weather, and lighting, which could have caused the car accident
- Statements from the witnesses
- Details regarding any citations given out related to the car accident
- Notes on any violations of the law
- The reporting officer’s opinions on the collision
How A Car Accident Lawyer Can Help With A Car Accident Case
In the State of Georgia, you have two years to file a claim for a car accident. Not all of these cases are a clear case of fault. In Georgia, to win this case, the fault must clearly be due to the other driver’s negligence. The rules and laws surrounding a claim for a vehicle accident can become confusing. A car accident lawyer will help you through this legal process and ensure your rights are protected and you receive fair compensation for your injuries and damages suffered.
