Use Your Phone as a Tool after You Endure a Car Accident
By this point, a news story about a “texting and driving” car accident is, tragically, nothing new. With the boom of major league technology at the turn of the 21st century, we humans become closer and closer to little devices that lay out our schedules, plan flights, teach our children, and even help us watch our pets. Still, the concept of distracted driving is nothing new, though mobile devices have certainly helped to raise the stakes.
So, with all the negativity surrounding these little tools, can cell phones be helpful in the event of an accident (besides the purpose of making emergency calls)? The answer, not to put too fine a point, is “absolutely.” Not only can you use a cell phone to report a crash, but you can also use its numerous tools to document an accident that victimized you.
Let’s take a closer look at how this is possible.
The Many Wonders of the Cell Phone
Within a microenvironment (say, for example, a vehicle), cell phones perform at optimal capacity for the owners’, particularly in an instance when this person needs to know his/her exact location at any given time. For the purpose of recording an accident, the GPS feature can be especially beneficial, as the authorities will need to record the exact location, including date and time, for an accident report. This location information, in essence, may add additional value to your case as well, depending on the nature of the accident.
Start Pushing Buttons…in the Right Way
Today, most mobile phones have HD cameras and excellent recording systems, and most people are always in the vicinity of one of these devices. If you are able, use your cell phone to document the accident right after it took place and take note of any information that could help you in court:
- Take photographs of the accident site, vehicle damage to both cars, your injuries, your passengers’ injuries (if applicable), insurance details from the culprit, witnesses (if permitted), and road conditions (slippery, icy, poorly maintained)
- If any witnesses approach you or if you see any, use your phone to record their contact information and report.
Once again, consider the importance of time. In many cases, your phone’s pictures will contain a timestamp, allowing the police and your lawyer to take note of when these photos were shot. By making this effort, you will be able to help your attorney piece together viable information, to determine the value of your car accident case.
Personal Injury Lawyer in Syracuse, New York
Technology has opened up so many doorways for us to communicate with people around the world, but these handy little devices called cell phones can also help you make or break your case. In the event that you have been victimized by a car accident and suffered injuries due to negligence or malicious intent, you can potentially use your cell phone or mobile device to document evidence for use in court, as long as it is within the boundaries of the law.
Always remember, remain calm, as difficult as this may be during this time. With the assistance of a lawyer who is experienced with personal injury cases, you can piece together these viable resources, including photos from your phone, to create a strong case in court.
We at Gattuso & Ciotoli have more than 50 years of combined legal experience and deliver the some of the most high-quality legal services to victims of a wide variety of accidents in the vicinity of Syracuse, New York. We value your perspective on your case and your goals for the future and ready to help you receive the justice you deserve. For more information on our four practice areas or your legal matter, contact us at (315) 314-8000 today.