How a Cellphone Can Help After an Accident

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

How a Cellphone Can Help After an Accident

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

Cell phones do more for their owners than simply keep them in touch with loved ones and the rest of the world. In fact, this form of technology can actually improve an accident victim’s chance of compensation in a claim. While talking or texting on a phone is prohibited while operating a vehicle, after an accident has occurred cell phone owners should turn to their cell phones to document evidence from their accident.

Four Ways a Cellphone Can Help After an Accident

Car accidents can easily disorient drivers and their passengers. Due to the emotional trauma, it is not uncommon for an accident victim to forget details, write down information incorrectly, or even forget how the accident occurred. A cell phone can help victims avoid these common issues and preserve necessary evidence for their insurance and third-party liability claims.

Just some examples of how a cell phone can help include:

• Contacting Emergency Personnel – You can use your cell phone to call 911 in the event there are serious injuries from the accident. Even if there are no serious injuries, you can use your cell phone to contact the local police so that you may file an official police report.
• Photographs – Your cellphone can take photographs of the accident scene, including vehicle damage, witnesses, the driver of the other vehicle, and any pertinent details at the scene.
• Videos – Use your cellphone to quickly take a video of the accident scene, as well as of any statements made by the other party to the police, yourself, or your passengers. If you are talking to witnesses, ask if you can video tape them. Video is much more powerful in an insurance claim than photographs – especially when it catches the other driver admitting fault at the scene.
• Recording – It is unlikely that you will remember the details of the accident entirely the next day, much less a few days later. To prevent forgetting any details, use the voice recorder on your cell phone to take your own statement. You can also use it to record witness statements as well as what is said by the other driver.

Use Your Cellphone Properly

While your cellphone can be the most effective way of documenting the accident, you must be cautious when using it. Let witnesses and the other driver know you are recording them. Also, make sure the date and time on your cell phone are accurate and correspond with the date and time listed on the police report. Small inaccuracies can create delays in your insurance claim.

Most importantly, take the information you collect on your cell phone to your auto accident attorney. An attorney can help you sort out the details of your case and assess your claim. If you have a valid claim, your attorney will be able to use the information you have collected to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

If you have been injured in an auto accident, take the information you collect to a cell phone accident attorney. Contact us 24 hours a day at 888-625-6265 for a free consultation, or fill out an online contact form.