When people think of mobile phones and car crashes, they probably think of someone texting at the wheel and causing a neglect-related collision. However, phones don’t just play a causative role in crashes. They can also provide solutions to many of the issues you face immediately after a collision.
In the aftermath of a crash, once you know you and your passengers are physically safe, you may want to reach for your phone to use it for the following purposes:
Call for emergency services
One of the most important things you’ll likely do after a crash is to call the police. Even if the other driver asks you not to, a police report will be crucial to getting insurance benefits. You will have to file a police report if you want your insurance to cover the repairs to your car or any medical care that you need. You can also use your phone to share information with the other driver, like insurance policy details.
Collect evidence that could help protect you when the police arrive
People who cause crashes because of serious mistakes might try to hide the evidence against them immediately after a collision.
For example, you might see someone toss something in a nearby trash can while waiting. They might pour out a cup, rinse their mouth with mouthwash on the side of the road or otherwise try to hide evidence. You might also see someone frantically deleting information on their phone when you approach their vehicle.
Recording such behavior and taking a photo of the other driver’s license plate can preserve evidence and help identify someone if they flee the scene of the crash.
Document the site of the crash itself
Your phone makes it easy to take photos and videos of the scene of the crash from multiple angles and the damage to your vehicle from several perspectives. A combination of videos and photos from different angles and distances will hope you preserve evidence that can show you weren’t responsible for the crash.
Using your phone as a tool after your crash can help you get compensation and protect evidence if you and the other driver don’t agree about who’s at fault.
