Evidence Preservation Guide

Why Evidence Matters

Evidence is the foundation of your pedestrian accident case. Strong evidence:
- Proves who was at fault
- Documents injury severity
- Establishes your damages
- Prevents disputes about what happened

At the Accident Scene

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Photographs to Take
- The vehicle from all angles
- License plate clearly visible
- Vehicle damage
- Crosswalk and traffic signals
- Any skid marks or debris
- Road conditions and lighting
- Your injuries
- Your damaged belongings

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Video Documentation
- Walk around recording the scene
- Capture traffic light timing
- Note conditions verbally
- Include date/time stamp

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Witness Information
- Full names and phone numbers
- Email addresses
- Brief description of what they saw
- Where they were standing

Physical Evidence to Preserve

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Your Belongings
- Damaged clothing (don't wash)
- Damaged shoes
- Broken phone or electronics
- Damaged bags or personal items
- Keep everything in original condition

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Medical Evidence
- All hospital records
- Imaging (X-rays, CT scans, MRIs)
- Surgery reports
- Physical therapy records
- Prescriptions and medications
- All medical bills

Digital Evidence

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Request These Records
- Police accident report
- 911 call recordings
- Traffic camera footage
- Nearby business surveillance video
- Cell phone records of driver

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Act Quickly
- Video footage may be overwritten quickly
- Business surveillance often erased after 30 days
- Traffic camera footage may not be kept long
- Preserve requests must be made promptly

Ongoing Documentation

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Keep a Recovery Journal
- Daily pain levels (1-10)
- Activities you can't do
- Sleep quality
- Emotional and mental effects
- Medication effects

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Financial Records
- All medical bills
- Lost wage documentation
- Transportation costs for treatment
- Home care expenses
- Any accident-related expenses