When involved in a car accident or car crash in Fort Collins, Colorado, remember there are certain things you must do at the scene of the car crash.

CAR CRASH
  1. Exchange insurance information and driver’s license information with the other driver.
  2. Make sure the police are called. You can call 911 and either the local police will be informed or a state trooper.
  3. Allow the investigating law enforcement officer to do his job. Of course, tell your side of the story but try not to pester or argue with the investigating officer as this could backfire.
  4. Try not to argue or fight with the other driver involved in the crash, but do exchange identification information, insurance coverage and how to get in contact, email and phone numbers.
  5. Make sure you get your injuries checked out by the paramedics and if necessary, take an ambulance to the nearest or most appropriate emergency room. Don’t be a tough guy, get medical help right away. If you do not seek medical care immediately, either by going via ambulance to hospital or having a friend/relative drive you, it can seriously hurt your legal case.

TAKE PHOTOS AT THE SCENE OF THE CAR ACCIDENT

Probably the best single piece of evidence generated for a legal car accident case are photos. It is very important to take photos of the accident scene, the vehicles involved, photos of the physical damage to the vehicles involved, photos of your immediate injuries and photos of any obstructions in the roadway.

ACCIDENT SCENE PHOTOS

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR ACCIDENT SCENE PHOTOS

  • Take as many photos as you can. You can never take too many photos. You can always delete the photos that are not as useful.
  • Take photos with and without flash for better clarity and color
  • We all know to hold your I-phone or cell phone as steady as possible to avoid blurring or a bad image
  • Make sure to zoom in on images like damaged bumpers in order to provide evidence of clarity and zoom out to provide evidence of everything in context
  • Use an object like car keys or a pencil to provide evidence of the size of the object being photographed

OF WHAT SHOULD I TAKE PHOTOS?

  • Take good photos of the physical damage of all vehicles involved in the car accident or car crash. If a driver rear-ended you, then take photos of the front of his/her vehicle and rear photos of your vehicle. Remember, some damage to the rear of cars will be visible underneath the car so I recommend a mechanic take photos of vehicle damage that is not visible.
  • Take photos of any visible injuries on your body. Also take photos of any injuries of your passengers and any other injured persons at the accident scene.
  • Take photos of an scattered debris from the impact of the crash. Take photos of any damage to structures on the roadway like a stop sign or traffic light or parked vehicles.
  • Take photos of any damage to personal property inside the vehicle, such as sunglasses, purses, glass containers, radios, etc.
  • Take photos of any relevant evidence that may need to be used later in settlement or in Court. For example, take photos of skid marks, videos of sequencing of traffic lights, glass on road, oil or gasoline on road, and anything else that may be used as possible evidence in your case.
  • Take photos of any unusual contributing factors to your car crash like a pothole, pouring down rain, wet pain, icy roads or snowy roads and anything else that looks like it may have contributed to your car crash.
  • Finally, take photos of the other drivers insurance information card, driver’s license, license plates, make and model of car, bald tires, and contact information for any potential witnesses.

WHY TAKE ALL THESE PHOTOS?

  • Photos can be great visual evidence at Trial or in presentation to the insurance adjuster in a pre-suit settlement brochure.
  • Photos can prove your injuries at the scene of the car crash and photos of the detailed damage to each vehicle can help you prove your serious injuries.
  • Photos can also jog your memory 1 or 2 years down the line when some of the details of your car accident case tend to diminish with time.