One car crash can turn your whole life upside down. You may be unable to pay car repair and medical bills, plus any injuries you endured may prevent you from working for a while. A car accident claim may be necessary to keep you on your feet financially. The more info you have, the more likely you are to file a claim successfully.
Here’s the information you should gather after a crash:
Insurance and contact info
After an accident, always exchange insurance numbers and contact information with the other driver. Determining fault will be an important element of a claim and you need to have information about the other person and their coverage.
License plates and cars
Write down their license plate number, as well as the make and model of their car. This gives you more ways to track and verify the other driver when pursuing a claim. It also verifies which cars were actually involved in the crash.
Photos of damages and injuries
Photo evidence can help you prove the extent of the damages later. Take pictures of the crash scene, damages to your car and any visible injuries on your body. Make sure to capture shots from various angles and distances.
Police report
This is not information that you yourself write or gather, but it is very important to call police to the scene and have them create a report. This officially puts the accident on record. It can be requested later when pursuing your claim if you need evidence of what happened or where and when the crash took place.
Doctor’s notes
Most people do not walk away from a car accident totally unharmed. Even if you feel fine at first, injuries can start to surface a few hours or days afterwards. You should see a doctor within a couple days of the accident.
Make a note of which doctor you saw and when your appointment was. Request a record of any injuries discovered at the visit and any treatment you must undergo. You should also be keeping notes of how you feel each day. If your injury prevents you from doing daily activities, or makes them more difficult to perform, write this down too.
Pursuing a claim
Insurance companies rarely offer the full amount you deserve and they may try to push some of the blame for the accident onto you to save themselves money. By securing all of the information above, you greatly increase your chances of obtaining the full amount of compensation you need. Consider a free consultation with an attorney if you are in a crash. They can examine your case and guide you on the next steps for filing a claim.