Steps To Take After a Car Accident in Arizona

If you or somebody you love has been injured in a vehicle accident caused by the negligent actions of another driver, you should be able to recover compensation for your losses. However, recovering this compensation can present significant challenges, particularly when it comes to determining fault for the incident. Even if you are sure that another driver caused the crash securing compensation can be difficult if there is not enough evidence to prove that. Here, our local Phoenix car accident lawyers want to discuss what types of evidence you should have after a car accident in phoenix.

Photographs From the Scene

Just about everybody has a smartphone or another device that can take photographs. It is crucial for somebody to take pictures of everything that is visible in the aftermath of the crash. This can include photographs of:

  • Any vehicle damage
  • Debris on the ground
  • Skid marks
  • Traffic and weather conditions
  • Injuries
  • License plate numbers 

When taking photographs at an accident scene, it is also important to get photos from different angles and varying distances. Insurance carriers and personal injury juries like to have photographs so they can see exactly what the aftermath of the incident looked like.

Possible Video Surveillance 

In some cases, there may be video surveillance that can be gathered and used as evidence. However, it is harder to get video evidence in these situations. In the aftermath of the crash, you should look around at nearby homes or businesses and see if there are any surveillance cameras that may have seen what happened. Additionally, there may be vehicles involved in the crash or vehicles that stopped to help that have a dashcam inside.

If you see any cameras, you should relay this information to the law enforcement officers at the scene. Additionally, when you work with a skilled vehicle accident attorney in Phoenix, your attorney can work through the court system to possibly obtain any surveillance footage.

Eyewitness Statements

It is not uncommon for individuals who witness crashes to stop and offer assistance or meander around the outside of the crash scene. Any person who saw what happened or the events in the aftermath of the crash could provide valuable eyewitness testimony to the insurance carriers or even at a personal injury trial. You should get the names and contact information of any eyewitnesses or ask law enforcement officials to do so.

Police or Accident Reports

Nearly every vehicle accident that occurs in Phoenix has to be reported to the police. Law enforcement officials will be responsible for conducting a preliminary investigation and filling out an accident report. Insurance carriers are always going to want to see the accident reports involved in the case. In many cases, the police will offer a preliminary determination of fault for the incident. That does not necessarily mean that the accident report is 100% accurate, but it is an important piece of evidence.

Medical Records

It is crucial for any person involved in the crash to seek medical care and keep documentation of any medical visits. This includes all medical records as well as bills that come in after the crash occurs.

Property Damage Receipts

It is also important for crash victims to keep bills and receipts for any property damage expenses. The insurance carriers will likely handle much of this for you, but you cannot always count on them. Keep copies of every bill and receipt you receive in the aftermath of a vehicle accident.

 

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