Your phone is a powerful tool for documenting a car crash

Not that long ago, police officers and the reports they authored were often the only documentation of major car crashes. Mistakes, misinterpreted data and oversight in official police reports may have meant that someone who caused the crash walked away without consequences or that someone hurt in the collision lost out on compensation they should have received.

Thankfully, those who get into major crashes are no longer dependent on the police to document the scene of the crash. While the police reports still remain one of the most authoritative forms of evidence after a crash, you also have a powerful tool to document the scene of the collision and your personal experience.

Your mobile phone can be a critical tool in the moments immediately after a car wreck.

Use a combination of photos and video to show what really happened

It can be hard to convey the layout of the crash itself or the scale of the damage to your vehicle in words alone. Even pictures can fall short. Taking numerous pictures from multiple angles and also a video where you circle the scene of the crash can be an ideal way to thoroughly document exactly what occurred.

You can also take images of specific damage to your vehicle or surrounding property. It is usually a good idea to take macro shots that show the scale of the damage on the vehicle based on the surroundings, as well as zoomed-in and close-up detailed images of the damage.

Especially if you need to move your vehicles to facilitate the flow of traffic, quickly documenting the crash can help preserve evidence that will protect you in the future.

 The information you have can help with insurance claims and even lawsuits

After a crash, you will probably need to file an insurance claim with the other driver’s policy. You may have to negotiate, especially if they try to offer a low-ball settlement or to claim that you bear some partial responsibility for the collision.

The more evidence you have, the easier it will be to negotiate from a strong position. If insurance negotiations aren’t successful or if the driver doesn’t have enough coverage, the documentation that you have from the scene of the crash can help you recreate the scenario in court and help strengthen your case.