Collecting evidence in the moments following a road traffic accident can be the first step towards you making a successful claim for compensation over the incident. Even if you don’t intend to claim, gathering evidence is worthwhile: it may help with a subsequent police investigation or an insurance claim.
If you can, take photographs of the incident immediately after it happens, showing the position of vehicles or objects involved. Take some photographs of the accident scene – ideally the photographs should represent the views that you and the other party had when approaching the accident scene, as well as a wider overall view of the road lay-out.
Where the issue of road markings or signs may be relevant (such as in accidents occurring on a roundabout), try to make sure that the markings and/or signs are clearly visible. If there was any debris left on the road, take a photograph showing the position of the debris in the road (i.e. not a close up of the debris itself but something showing where the debris fell, and therefore where the collision took place).
Take some photographs of the damage caused to the vehicles involved – some close up showing the detail of the damage and some at a wider angle to see the overall effect of the impact. If there are any witnesses, and/or the police attend, you should carefully note down their full contact details and any relevant reference number for the police for later reference.
If you have suffered any bruising, cuts or grazes, try to take some photographs showing the affected areas. Ideally the photographs should be taken in natural light, with some close up and some at a wider angle to show the full extent of the injury. Where the bruising lasts several days or more, and/or where the cuts or grazes leave scarring, take photographs at regular intervals showing the healing process (for example, a few pictures every two weeks).
You can keep a ‘pain diary’ – this does not need to be particularly detailed, but simply a note of how you are feeling on a day-to-day or week-to-week basis, whether you suffer any relapses from your injury, whether you visit your GP or other healthcare professional, whether you are off of work, unable to participate in hobbies/leisure activities etc. By following this advice, you will put yourself in the best stead with regard to making a compensation claim - even if you decide against pursuing a case, it’s definitely better to be prepared after any road traffic accidents.
Clint Starr writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.
