What kind of evidence should you gather from the scene of an accident?

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reported that in 2022, there were over 380,000 car accidents in the state. Car accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, turning an ordinary day into a whirlwind of stress and confusion.

In the immediate aftermath, your first concern should be ensuring the safety of everyone involved. Once you have determined that all parties are safe or have received the necessary medical attention, gathering evidence from the accident scene is important. The information you collect can play a significant role in establishing what happened, who might be at fault and any potential damages or injuries.

Photographs of the scene

Always start by taking extensive photos of the accident scene. Capture images of the damaged vehicles from multiple angles, skid marks on the road, any broken glass or car parts scattered around and traffic signals or signs. These photos can provide a visual record of the extent of damage and the conditions leading up to the accident.

Contact details of witnesses

If there were bystanders or other drivers who witnessed the accident, collect their names, phone numbers and addresses. Their accounts can offer an unbiased perspective of the incident and can be invaluable if there are discrepancies in the stories of the involved parties.

Details of the other driver

Obtain the name, address, phone number, driver’s license number and insurance information of the other driver involved in the accident. If there are more vehicles involved, collect information from each driver.

Document the environment

Make a note of the weather conditions, the state of the road (wet, dry, under construction) and the lighting at the time of the accident. All these factors can contribute to understanding how the accident might have occurred.

Traffic and security camera footage

Check if there are any traffic cameras or security cameras from nearby businesses that might have recorded the accident. If so, you might be able to request the footage, which can serve as clear evidence of how the events unfolded.

Personal account

As soon as you can, write down your detailed memory of the accident while it is fresh in your mind. This personal account can help you remember specific details that might become blurry as time goes on.

When you know what information to collect after an accident, you give yourself the best chance to accurately represent the event and protect your interests.