Get All the Evidence You Need to Prove a Maryland Auto Accident Claim

When you’ve been hurt in a car accident, it’s important to get all the evidence necessary to pursue a personal injury claim. Here are tips to getting witness statements and photos following an accident:

“I Saw it With My Own Eyes”

Getting statements from witnesses is crucial to your auto accident claim. It may be best to get an impartial third party to conduct these interviews. If you question the witnesses yourself, be careful that you do not put words in their mouths. Open-ended questions to ask include:

• In your own words, what did you see happen?
• In which direction were the vehicles traveling?
• How do you believe the accident occurred?
• Are there any other details you feel are relevant? (This is where a witness may add that he saw one of the drivers speeding or on a cell phone.)

Photo Worth a Thousand Words

Photos capture an image, preserving it in time. This is particularly helpful when you’re dealing with an accident scene. The actual evidence is cleaned up within hours, but photos will bring the images back into stark clarity. Keep in mind that it’s important to have both wide shots to get the full picture, as well as close-ups to get the details. Whether you are taking photos yourself or relying on a family member or Silver Spring accident attorney to take them, be sure to get photos of all the following:

• Vehicles involved in the crash before they are moved, if possible. If not, at least take photos of the damage to your own vehicle before getting it fixed.
• The scene of the accident, including debris still on the ground, any skid marks, and any damage to road signs, trees, or other nearby objects.
• Your injuries

Check out our library section for more helpful information on how to gather pertinent information after an accident.