If you’ve been seriously injured in a car accident in Texas, you may be entitled to compensation for the associated financial and personal costs, from medical bills and lost income to physical pain and emotional suffering. One of the most important things you can do to protect your right to this compensation is to gather information and preserve evidence for a car accident claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company.

This checklist will help you uncover valuable evidence and bolster the strength of your claim.

Car Accident Report

One of the most critical pieces of evidence to collect from a car accident in Texas includes the car accident report. Texas Transportation Code § 550.026 requires drivers to report an accident to the appropriate law enforcement agency if the accident results in:

  • Death
  • Injury
  • Damage to a vehicle that prevents it from being safely driven from the scene

However, it’s always a good idea to contact the police after a car accident, regardless of the extent of injuries or property damage. The responding officer will complete and file a police crash report (also called a CR-3). After the accident, you can request a copy of the CR-3 through the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). The crash report can provide valuable information to help with your car accident claim.

The CR-3 will include important details about the parties involved in the crash, including:

  • Drivers’ information, including names, DOBs, driver’s license numbers, and insurance providers and policy numbers
  • Identifying information for each passenger involved in the accident
  • Identifying information for any other involved parties, such as pedestrians or bicyclists
  • Witness statements

The CR-3 will also include details about injuries and property damage, including:

  • Identifying information for each of the vehicles involved in the accident
  • Information on each injured party
  • Whether any vehicle required a tow
  • Any injuries or fatalities that occurred in the accident
  • The nature of any vehicle damage
  • Any other damaged property besides the vehicles involved in the crash
  • The information for any commercial vehicles involved in the accident

Finally, the CR-3 will include other vital details to use in your case, including:

  • The date, time, and location of the car accident
  • Information about environmental, weather, and road conditions
  • The officer’s opinion about the causes or contributing factors to the accident, which may identify the responsible party for the accident
  • The officer’s opinion about what happened in the accident
  • A diagram of the crash scene

Driver’s Information

Remember to exchange information with all the parties involved in the accident, regardless of whether law enforcement responds to the accident scene. Doing so is not just a good idea – it’s the law. Ask each driver for their auto insurance and contact information. You should also note information about each driver’s vehicle, including the make, model, and license plate number.

Photos of the Accident Scene

Take photos and videos of the scene if you can. Gathering evidence that documents the accident scene can help strengthen your position during the insurance claims process. Include each of the following types of shots:

  • Wide Shots – A wide view of the accident scene can help the auto insurance company understand what the area looks like. Try to take wide shots from multiple angles around the accident scene, which can help investigators understand each driver’s view before the crash. Wide shots can help identify potential visual obstructions that may have contributed to the accident. They can also document the weather, lighting, and traffic conditions during the crash.
  • Close-Ups – You should also photograph critical details from the accident scene, such as traffic signs or signals at the accident site or road conditions (including hazards like potholes). These shots can give investigators a clear view of those conditions and their potential contribution to the accident.
  • Vehicle Damage – Photograph the damage suffered by each vehicle involved in the collision. Images of the vehicle damage can help investigators identify how the vehicles collided and the speed at which they hit one another.
  • Debris on the Roadway – Photograph any debris that may have caused or contributed to the accident, especially if you swerved to avoid hitting debris or if a vehicle suffered a tire blowout or tread separation.
  • License Plate Numbers – Document the license plates and registration of each vehicle involved in the accident, especially if law enforcement does not respond to the accident scene. This way, you will have a record of all the vehicles involved in the crash.

Other Evidence

Other evidence may be available to help determine liability, but you may need the help of an experienced car accident lawyer to get it. Lawyers can use tools such as public records requests, discovery, and spoiliation of evidence letters to identify, preserve, and gather crucial evidence. Lawyers also hire expert witnesses in some cases to help establish how the accident happened and the full extent of car accident victims’ damages.

Contact an Experienced Car Accident Attorney for a Free Consultation

After an accident, you can protect your right to seek financial compensation by gathering as much evidence as possible. Then, contact Burch Law Firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced car accident attorney to discuss your legal options. We can gather additional evidence, handle the insurance claims process in order for you to receive fair compensation, and represent you in court if necessary. Reach out to us today to learn more.