No Virginian to get into a car accident, but they can happen to anyone at any time. Statistically, car crashes are just a fact of life in the United States. The best advice? Be prepared. Preparation makes the difference in how you survive and protect your rights.
Emergency kit
The first prep is an emergency kit. This should be stowed in your car and help you in case of an accident or road emergency. You can buy many commercially available options. Use reviews and the list of what is included to determine which is best.
Essential items include a backup battery for your phone, a flashlight with backup batteries for it, blankets, water designed to be stored in the car (not water bottles), flares and reflectors. Make sure there is, at least, a basic first aid kit that includes how to use it or read up (watch videos) on how to effectively use the kit.
Evidence collection kit
As readers of this blog know, a car accident lawsuit is all about evidence, and the best evidence is photo and video evidence taken at the time of the accident or directly after. This can make the difference between winning or losing, and creating an evidence collection kit now can be key to winning your case later.
First, make sure that you have a notepad and pen readily secured and available. You need to collect a lot of important information.
You will need to collect witness name and contact information, police information, the other driver’s information (description, driver’s license number, name, number, etc.) and vehicle information (insurance, license plate number, vehicle description, etc.). If the driver does not match the policy, find out why.
Second, prepare for video and photographic evidence now. Of course, you have your phone. Use it after the car accident to show the scene. Document the driver, witnesses, police, car placement, damage to both vehicles and any debris.
In addition, have a disposable camera as well. If your phone is broken, you will still have a way to take photographic evidence.
Finally, get a dash camera installed now. These cameras can be worth their weight in gold. They show the crash unfolding, including what happened before, during and after the impact.
Think about what you would need, should an impact occur, and then, get those items now. Preparation can ensure that you recover what you need and hold negligent drivers accountable for their actions.