Documenting the Scene of a Car Accident

    NORFOLK, VA, April 30, 2013 /24-7PressRelease/ -- If you have been seriously injured in a car accident caused by a negligent driver, your ability to recover full compensation for your losses will greatly depend on the evidence you are able to collect at the scene of the accident. Thoroughly documenting the scene of a car accident is essential in order to successfully prove that the other driver was responsible for your injuries.

Of course, in the event of a serious injury, you may be unable to gather this evidence yourself. If this is the case, have a friend complete the steps outlined below, or else contact an experienced car accident lawyer in your area to investigate the scene of the accident on your behalf.

Taking Photographs

Photos are one of the best forms of evidence you can present to support your car accident claim. When taking pictures of the car accident scene, be sure to include:
- All vehicle damage (your vehicle and the other driver's)
- All obvious injuries
- Skid marks
- The position of each vehicle (if they have not already been moved)
- Environmental factors (e.g. lack of guardrail, potholes, and anything else that may have contributed to the accident)
- Road signs

Your photos do not need to be high-quality, as long as they are clear. Most cell phone cameras are more than sufficient to complete this step.

Collecting Names and Contact Information

It is equally important to gather names and contact information from everyone at the scene of the car accident - including all drivers who were involved, all passengers, and even witnesses.

From drivers, you should obtain:
- License plate number
- Driver's license number
- Insurance company and policy number
- Address
- Phone number

The police should always be called to the scene to complete an accident report. The police report of a car accident is often a crucial piece of evidence to use in support of your injury claim - especially if the police officer implies or indicates that the other driver was at fault in the report. This will significantly increase your odds of recovering the full amount of compensation you deserve.

Once you have finished documenting the scene of the accident, it's important to retain the services of an experienced car accident lawyer so you can continue to follow up on evidence and investigate the car accident after the fact. With the help of your lawyer, you can construct the strongest case possible and maximize your chances of recovering full compensation.

If you have further questions about car accident law, please visit the website of the experienced Norfolk Virginia car accident attorneys at Kalfus & Nachman, Attorneys at Law at www.kalfusnachman.com.

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