Your phone is a powerful in-the-pocket technology that can come in handy in most emergencies, this includes a car accident.
In this blog post, you will learn what to do after a car accident to properly collect evidence. You will also learn tips to stay organized and share the right things safely. And all the different ways this can help you get the compensation that you deserve.
1. Capturing Photos and Videos of the Accident Scene
Photos and videos show exactly what the accident scene looked like. They capture helpful details that you might forget later on. Videos and photographs can be used as strong evidence to document what happened.
Why Photos and Videos Matter
Photos and videos of the accident scene are really important because:
- They show details you may not notice or remember later, like the exact position of the cars after the crash.
- They capture evidence objectively before anything is moved or changed.
- The timestamp on the photos proves exactly when they were taken.
- They let the insurance company and court see the scene as it was during and right after the accident.
What Types of Photos To Take
Use your phone to take a lot of clear, well-lit photos of:
- Any damage to the vehicles from different angles
- The license plates of all the vehicles involved
- Street signs, traffic lights, or intersections near the accident site
- Skid marks left on the road by the tires
- Traffic signals, road conditions, and hazards like potholes
- Exact positions of the vehicles after the crash
- Any injuries or blood (but call 911 first!)
- The overall surroundings and environment
Tips for Taking Good Photos
- Take photos as soon as possible after the accident before anything gets moved
- Use burst mode to take many photos quickly
- Make sure photos are clearly lit without shadows
- Include objects like road signs to show size and scale
- Take wide shots and close-ups of the damage
What Videos Can Show
Videos give more context and information than photos.
Make videos of:
- The accident scene from different angles
- Any vehicle damage
- Traffic conditions and flow
- Statements by witnesses (ask first)
- Conversations with other drivers if they agree
- How badly you are injured
Tips for Filming Videos
- Hold your phone sideways for a landscape view
- Speak clearly and loudly while filming
- Describe out loud what you are recording
- Make sure there is lots of light and your hand is steady
- Try to capture audio of what’s happening in the background
2. Using Location Tracking and Maps
Your phone’s GPS and maps apps create a timeline of where you were traveling before, during, and after the accident. This information can be very helpful to prove what happened.
How Location Tracking Helps
Your phone’s location services record and store:
- The exact site of the accident
- How fast your phone was moving (your travel speed)
- The route you took before the crash
- What time you left your starting point
- What time the accident happened based on sudden stops or delays
Location Apps to Use
To see your timeline and travel details, check these apps:
- Google Maps timeline feature
- Apple Maps location history
- Some insurance company apps also track locations and driver habits
Ask your insurance company if they have an app to share details. But first, check your privacy settings in the apps to understand what they can view before sharing anything.
Being Careful with Location Data
- Always check app settings for what they track and share
- Be prepared to provide your location history to insurance or lawyers if needed
- But don’t share information publicly on social media
3. Recording Audio at the Scene
Audio recordings capture very helpful evidence like witness statements right after the accident. They can record critical details you might not think to write down.
Why Audio Recordings Matter
Audio can record:
- Other drivers admitting fault or guilt
- Witnesses describing what happened
- Police officers explaining the situation
- Your own observations out loud about injuries, damage, etc
Best Practices for Audio
- Check laws about recording people without permission
- Be open that you are recording
- Try to capture clear audio without background noise
- Note the time, place, and names out loud as you record
Tips for Recording
Start recording as soon as it is safe:
- Speak clearly and stay calm
- Describe damage, injuries, and what you see
- Say the time, location, and names of those involved
- Ask witnesses to describe what they saw
Having witnesses describe what they saw in their own words provides very helpful evidence later on.
4. Collecting Contact Information
At the scene, use your phone to collect and store important contact information like:
- Photos of insurance cards and driver’s licenses
- Phone numbers of witnesses
- Names and badge numbers of police officers
Storing this information will make it easy to follow up with questions later or share with your insurance company.
Tips for Gathering Contacts
- Create an accident folder in your photos to store images
- Save contacts in your phone or specialized apps
- Consider accident documentation apps
- Backup details online so they aren’t lost if your phone breaks
5. Keeping Digital Records of Conversations
It’s important to keep records of all accident-related discussions you have by text, social media, email, or phone calls. These details could become evidence.
Tips for Documenting Interactions
- Screenshot texts with other drivers
- Save email exchanges with insurance agents
- Record phone calls if legal and agreed (say you are recording)
- Avoid oversharing personal opinions publicly
Be transparent if you plan to record a call. And understand social media posts could be used as evidence later, even if posted privately at first.
6. Using Voice Memos and Notes Apps
Writing notes and speaking voice memos immediately after an accident captures critical details while your memory is fresh. This provides very helpful evidence later on.
Why Notes and Memos Help
It’s easy to forget key information soon after a traumatic event. Use notes or voice memos to:
- Document what you remember seeing and feeling
- Describe exact details like time, weather, road conditions
- Record license plate numbers or witness names
- Note your physical and emotional condition
Best Practices for Notes and Memos
To create helpful documentation:
- Write or dictate notes within 30 minutes after the accident
- Speak slowly, clearly and stay organized
- Describe emotions and physical sensations
- Include precise timestamps
Following these best practices makes your notes and memos much stronger documentation for legal and insurance purposes.
7. Tracking Medical Issues
Your phone can also track and document any medical issues that develop after the accident. This evidence could be important if health problems come up later.
How to Document Health Issues
Use your phone to help document:
- New symptoms or pain that appears over time
- Doctor or therapy appointments
- Medications and treatments
Specialized apps help you log details like:
- Severity of pain
- Physical limitations
- Emotional effects
- Appointment notes and medical bills
Be sure to allow access to medical details if your lawyer requests them.
8. Communicating with Your Insurance Company
You’ll likely need to communicate a lot with your insurance company and lawyer after an accident. There are tools and apps to help collect, organize and share details with them.
Digital Tools for Insurance Claims
- Use your insurance company’s app for accident claims
- Screenshot communications for records
- Email formal questions and requests
- Save all documents to online folders
Some apps help organize details for legal use, allow secure messaging with your lawyer, and scan paper documents into digital formats. Using tools like these can give you better evidence and make communication easier.
9. Third-Party Accident Documentation Apps
There are also specialized third-party apps to consider downloading before an accident to help document evidence.
What Accident Apps Provide
Apps like “Accident Report” and “WreckCheck” provide:
- Detailed accident report templates
- Guidance on what details to collect
- Direct connections with lawyers
- Educational resources
While not necessary, they may help supplement the documentation tools on your phone. Always read ratings and reviews before downloading an app.
10. Protecting Privacy and Preserving Evidence
While your phone provides many useful tools after an accident, you also need to take steps to protect sensitive information and preserve evidence.
Ensuring Privacy Protection
To keep your records and data safe:
- Set a strong passcode on your phone
- Enable two-factor authentication where possible
- Use encrypted apps for communication
- Understand local privacy laws
Additionally, be thoughtful about what accident details you share on public social media, even if accounts seem private. Insurance companies may request access to those posts.
Preserving Digital Evidence
To make sure documentation doesn’t get lost:
- Setup automatic cloud backups
- Save records in multiple places
- Take redundant photos and videos
- Ask a lawyer about local evidence laws
Following these guidelines gives you multiple copies of evidence in case a phone or computer breaks.
What Not to Do: Common Mistakes
It’s also important to avoid some common mistakes that could hurt your case, such as:
- Deleting original evidence or photos
- Posting opinionated accident analysis publicly
- Not making backups of documentation
- Ignoring privacy settings in apps and sites
Be especially careful not to delete original evidence that could be useful later. Additionally, avoid analyzing the accident on social media, as that could be used against you.
Conclusion
Your phone offers many useful features to document evidence after a car accident. With some planning and basic tips, you can effectively collect and organize documentation.
While technology has limits, strategically using your phone’s camera, audio recorder, notes app, and other features puts helpful evidence literally in your hands when you need it most.
Being prepared allows you to act quickly to capture objective records, statements, photos, locations, conversations and more. This evidence could make a major difference if you need to file an insurance claim, injury lawsuit, or criminal charges.
So keep this accident response guide in mind, be strategic when documenting scenes, communicate carefully with involved parties, and consult a lawyer about your rights. With today’s phone technology, critical evidence is close at hand if tragedy occurs.
