We recommend speaking with a lawyer immediately. There’s a multitude of issues that could come up that you want to be aware of so that you’re making the best decisions for your case and your treatment. You don’t want to make any step that could potentially compromise your case like talking to the other driver’s insurance company.
In addition, evidence fades: skid marks disappear and witnesses forget. We want to be able to preserve and document any evidence.
Q: What kind of evidence do you gather in a typical car accident case?
If it’s a severe car accident where there’s a lot of damage, you definitely want to take pictures of all of the vehicle involved. You could take a video of what the scene looks like shortly after the accident occurs, and any type of physical evidence on the scene that may have either caused the accident, such as skid marks, the weather, the sun, and any other type of condition.
Video and photographic documentation of the scene can be very useful later in the case.
Surveillance video
When it exists, we will subpoena any type of a video at or near the location of the accident, either from the municipality or county where the accident occurred, or potentially from private businesses operating at or near the location.
911 calls from witnesses
911 calls can be very helpful in establishing a witness’ state of mind at that time and what their description of the accident, which can further bolster the facts of how the accident occurred.
911 tapes are not kept forever, but for how long depends on the municipality or county. Consequently, you’d want to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible so that you can exercise your rights. You may need to file a lawsuit to have subpoena power to get that surveillance or go through the proper channels to obtain those types of materials.