Why Evidence Fades Fast
Skid marks wash away, vehicles get repaired, surveillance footage is overwritten, and witnesses become hard to find. The window to capture the best evidence is narrow — often just hours or days. Acting quickly can make the difference between a provable claim and one that comes down to your word against the other driver's.
At the Scene
Photograph everything: vehicle positions, damage, debris, road and weather conditions, traffic controls, and your visible injuries. Get the names and contact information of every witness, not just the drivers. Note the location precisely and the time. If police respond, get the report number.
In the Days After
Preserve the damaged vehicle, or at least photograph it thoroughly, before repairs. Request any available surveillance or doorbell footage from nearby businesses or homes quickly, since it is often deleted within days. Keep a journal of your symptoms, treatment, and how the injury affects your daily life and work.
Let an Attorney Help
An attorney can send preservation letters to keep critical evidence from being destroyed, obtain electronic data from vehicles, and engage experts while the trail is fresh. In serious cases, that early work is often what makes full compensation possible.
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This article is general information, not legal advice. For guidance on your specific situation, get a free, confidential case review. You pay nothing unless you win.
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