What you need to know about documenting accident damage

After an accident, it’s not unusual to be confused and unsure of what to do next. While this is true, it’s still important that you take steps to protect your rights by documenting what happened.

However, if you’ve never been in this situation before, you may wonder what you should document and how you can capture what happened? (Remember, you should only try to capture damages and injuries if you aren’t severely hurt. Otherwise, try to get someone else to do this for you.) Here are some tips:

Take photos of everything

One of the best ways to document what happened is with photos. You can use your cellphone camera to capture any type of damage your vehicle has. It’s also smart to take a picture of how the vehicles are positioned on the road after the accident (if they haven’t been moved).

Don’t stop there. You should also take pictures of the accident scene. This includes signs nearby and road conditions. If you or your passengers were injured, take photos of your injuries. Be sure the timestamp is on so you can prove when the photos were taken.

Write down anything you remember

Along with taking photos, you should write down everything you can remember about the accident and the moments leading up to it. As more time passes, your memory may fade, making it hard for you to remember exactly what happened.

Protecting your rights after an accident

You probably want to ensure you can recover the compensation you deserve after an accident. In that case, it’s important to document as much as you can about the scene, damages and your injuries. This is going to help you show tangible evidence if your case goes to court or if it is contested.