Injured in a Waymo Self-Driving Car Accident? Here’s What You Need to Know

A recent incident in Phoenix drew national attention when a passenger reportedly jumped out of a Waymo self-driving vehicle after it stopped on train tracks with an oncoming train approaching. While the passenger escaped a direct collision, the situation raised serious questions about the safety of autonomous vehicles and what rights passengers and other road users have when something goes wrong.

If you were injured in or by a self-driving vehicle in Arizona, you may be uncertain about what to do next. Breit Biniazan represents individuals hurt in motor vehicle accidents, including those involving autonomous technology. Our attorneys help clients understand who may be responsible, what legal options are available, and how to pursue compensation when cutting-edge technology fails to keep people safe.

The Recent Waymo Self-Driving Car Incident in Phoenix

According to reports, a Waymo vehicle carrying a passenger came to a stop on active train tracks and did not move as the train approached. The passenger exited the vehicle moments before impact. Incidents like this highlight how autonomous systems can malfunction or fail to respond appropriately to real-world hazards, putting passengers and others at serious risk.

While investigations often focus on technical details, injured individuals and their families are left dealing with fear, trauma, medical concerns, and unanswered questions about accountability.

Common Causes of Autonomous Car Accidents

Self-driving vehicles rely on a combination of software, sensors, cameras, and algorithms. When one part of that system fails, the consequences can be severe. Common causes of autonomous vehicle accidents include:

These cases are often more complex than traditional car accidents because liability may extend beyond who was in control of the vehicle.

Who Is Responsible When a Self-Driving Car Causes an Accident?

Determining responsibility in a Waymo self-driving car accident requires careful legal analysis. Unlike traditional crashes, where a human driver’s actions are usually the focus, autonomous vehicles introduce layers of technological and corporate responsibility. Liability may involve the vehicle manufacturer, software developer, maintenance providers, or even a human overseer, depending on how and why the collision occurred.

Manufacturer Liability and Software Errors

If an autonomous vehicle’s sensors, cameras, or driving algorithms malfunction, the manufacturer or technology developer may be legally accountable. These cases often fall under product liability claims, which are designed to hold companies responsible for defective products that cause harm. 

Common examples include faulty LIDAR systems, software glitches that misinterpret road conditions, or inadequate safety protocols in the design. Proving such claims typically requires expert testimony to trace the malfunction directly to a design or manufacturing defect.

Human Oversight and Safety Driver Responsibility

Even though self-driving vehicles are highly automated, many are still monitored by human safety drivers or remote operators. If a human supervisor fails to intervene when the system malfunctions or ignores warning alerts, they may share liability for the resulting crash. 

In some cases, the company employing the safety driver can also be held accountable for inadequate training or supervision. Establishing liability in these scenarios often involves reviewing operational logs, safety protocols, and company policies regarding human oversight.

Negligence and Product Liability Claims

Self-driving car accident lawsuits often combine negligence and product liability theories. This means attorneys must consider whether a person or company failed to act with reasonable care, and whether the vehicle itself contained a defect that made it unsafe. 

Claims may target both the technology developers and those responsible for deploying or maintaining the vehicle on public roads. Because these cases involve cutting-edge technology, they frequently require expert analysis of the vehicle’s data systems, design standards, and safety testing procedures.

What to Do After a Self-Driving Car Accident in Arizona

If you are involved in a Waymo or other autonomous rideshare accident, the actions you take in the hours and days that follow can significantly affect your physical recovery and your ability to pursue compensation.

  1. Seek medical attention immediately: Even if your injuries seem minor or you feel shaken rather than hurt, get evaluated by a medical professional as soon as possible. Some injuries, especially head, neck, or internal injuries, may not show symptoms right away. Prompt medical care protects your health and creates important documentation linking your injuries to the accident.
  2. Report the incident to law enforcement: Call the police and make sure an official report is created. A police report helps establish when and where the accident occurred and may include critical details about the vehicle, roadway, and circumstances surrounding the crash.
  3. Document the scene and your injuries: If it is safe to do so, take photos or videos of the vehicle, surroundings, visible injuries, and any damage. Capture details such as the vehicle number, Waymo branding, and road conditions. This evidence can become especially important if liability is disputed later.
  4. Avoid making statements to insurance companies without guidance: Insurance adjusters and corporate representatives may contact you quickly after an autonomous vehicle accident. Even casual statements can be used to minimize or deny a claim. It is best to avoid giving recorded statements or signing documents before speaking with an attorney.
  5. Preserve ride-related data and communications: Save screenshots, emails, app notifications, ride receipts, or messages related to the autonomous vehicle ride. This digital information can help establish control of the vehicle, timing, and system behavior at the time of the incident.
  6. Contact an attorney experienced with vehicle accident cases: Autonomous vehicle claims involve technology, corporate defendants, and evolving laws. Reaching out to a law firm experienced in serious injury and complex liability cases helps ensure evidence is preserved, your rights are protected, and the claim is positioned for a fair outcome from the start.

Can You File a Personal Injury Claim Against Waymo?

Yes, in many situations you may be able to file a personal injury claim involving a Waymo vehicle. Claims may be brought by passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, or occupants of other vehicles. Compensation may be available for:

Because autonomous vehicle claims involve advanced technology and corporate defendants, these cases require thorough investigation and legal experience.

Why Choose Breit Biniazan for Self-Driving Car Accident Cases

Autonomous vehicle accidents present new legal challenges that require a deeper level of investigation, technical understanding, and legal strategy than traditional car crash cases. When advanced technology fails, large corporations and their insurers often move quickly to limit responsibility. Breit Biniazan has experience handling serious injury claims involving complex liability questions and emerging technologies, allowing the firm to step in early and protect clients from being overwhelmed or sidelined by powerful defendants.

Breit Biniazan supports injured clients throughout every stage of a self-driving car accident case by:

Throughout the process, our firm remains focused on protecting injured individuals while holding companies accountable for unsafe technology. We provide steady guidance, clear communication, and determination in cases where cutting-edge innovation has placed public safety at risk.

Contact Our Arizona Car Accident Lawyers for Help

Self-driving vehicles are becoming more common, but safety failures can still lead to devastating consequences. If you were injured in a Waymo self-driving car accident in Phoenix or anywhere in Arizona, Breit Biniazan can help you understand your rights and legal options. 

Contact us today at (855) 659-4457 for your free, confidential consultation and learn more about how we can help you after a devastating accident.

What Has to Be Proven in an Arizona Dram Shop Claim?

Arizona’s dram shop laws allow injured people and grieving families to hold bars, restaurants, and other licensed alcohol providers accountable when overserving leads to serious harm. While the concept sounds straightforward, dram shop claims are detail-driven and often contested aggressively by businesses and their insurers.

If you’re wondering what actually has to be proven in an Arizona dram shop claim, the answer comes down to a few specific legal elements set out under state law. Missing even one of them can make or break a case.

At Breit Biniazan, our attorneys can break down what Arizona law requires, how these cases are proven, and why early investigation matters.

Arizona Dram Shop Law and Legal Requirements

Arizona dram shop claims are governed primarily by A.R.S. § 4-311. This law does not make bars automatically responsible for everything a customer does during or after drinking. Instead, it sets a clear legal standard that must be met before liability applies.

To succeed, the injured party must show that the alcohol provider’s actions went beyond normal service and crossed into legally recognizable misconduct. The focus is not just on drinking, but on overserving someone who showed visible signs of intoxication and the chain of events that followed.

Selling Alcohol to an Obviously Intoxicated Person in Arizona

One of the most important elements in any Arizona dram shop claim is proof that alcohol was sold to someone who was obviously intoxicated at the time of service.

Arizona law looks at outward, observable signs and not just blood alcohol content.

Signs of obvious intoxication may include:

The key concern is whether a reasonable person serving alcohol would have noticed these signs while continuing to sell drinks.

This part of the case often turns on witness testimony, video footage, and employee observations. Bars frequently argue that intoxication was not apparent, which makes this element one of the most disputed in dram shop litigation.

Proving the Alcohol Sale Contributed to Intoxication

The next requirement focuses on causation. It must be shown that the alcohol sold by the bar or restaurant contributed to the person’s intoxication, regardless of if that person had consumed alcohol somewhere at some point.

This becomes especially important when a person visits multiple locations or drinks before arriving at the business. Defense teams often argue that another establishment or private drinking was the true source of intoxication.

In Arizona dram shop claims, this issue is addressed by looking at timing, drink volume, receipts, and witness accounts to establish that the alcohol served played a meaningful role in the intoxication that followed.

Linking Intoxication to Injury or Death

Arizona law also requires proof that the intoxication caused the injury, crash, or fatal event. This connection must be direct enough to show that the harm would not have occurred in the same way without the intoxication. Common scenarios include:

Investigators often rely on police reports, crash reconstructions, and toxicology results to establish this link. Bars and insurers frequently try to break this connection by pointing to other factors, such as speeding, weather conditions, or third-party actions. Strong dram shop claims anticipate these arguments early.

Potential Damages Available in an Arizona Dram Shop Claim

Damages may include medical expenses, lost income, permanent injuries, or wrongful death losses. In fatal cases, surviving family members may pursue compensation for loss of companionship, financial support, and funeral costs.

Evidence Used to Prove Dram Shop Liability in Arizona

Because dram shop claims rely on proof of behavior and timing, evidence tends to disappear quickly. Early action often makes the difference between a strong case and one that falls apart. Common evidence can include:

Each piece helps reconstruct what the bar knew, or should have known, before continuing to serve alcohol to an intoxicated person.

Why Arizona Dram Shop Claims Are Often Challenged

Alcohol providers rarely admit fault. Many cases involve lost footage, uncooperative witnesses, or arguments that intoxication was not visible. Businesses may also claim employees followed training protocols or that the customer appeared fine when served.

These defenses make dram shop cases more complex than standard injury claims. They also explain why detailed investigation and trial-level preparation are often necessary.

When a Bar May Not Be Liable Under Arizona Law

Not every alcohol-related injury leads to dram shop liability. Arizona law limits responsibility in situations where intoxication was not apparent, alcohol was not sold directly, or another event clearly caused the harm.

Contact Breit Biniazan for Legal Guidance on Dram Shop Claims

With over $2 billion won and counting, our firm is built on a simple principle: never settle for less. If you believe a bar or restaurant may share responsibility for an alcohol-related injury or death, contact the experienced team at Breit Biniazan in Phoenix to discuss what happened and whether Arizona’s dram shop law applies to your case.

5 Common Mistakes of Teenage Drivers

Did you know motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers between the ages of 16 and 20? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1,886 drivers aged 15-20 died in motor vehicle crashes in 2015, and statistics say teens are more than one-and-a-half times more likely to be involved in a deadly crash than adults. To protect teen drivers, we’ve compiled a list of the common mistakes most new drivers make, and how to avoid them.

1. Distracted Driving

Studies have shown teen drivers are more likely to drive distractedly than most other drivers. Distracted driving is anything that physically, mentally, or visually distracts the driver, though it is most commonly associated with cell phone use. Teens have a notorious reputation for texting and driving, which is one of the most dangerous things a driver can do.

To ensure your teen driver stays safe, encourage them to remove distractions before they drive. They can set the radio or music player to a playlist they like before they begin driving, put the phone in the dashboard so they won’t be tempted to pick up, and take care of any cosmetic necessities before getting in the car.

2. Speeding

Teen drivers are more likely to speed, according to data collected by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Encourage your teen to abide by designated speed limits and other traffic laws. Also, new drivers may not always understand that during unsafe road conditions or weather changes, such as high winds or snow, should warrant slower driving speeds.

3. Failing to Wear a Seatbelt

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than half of the teens and adults who died in motor vehicle crashes in 2014 were not wearing their seatbelts. The commonality here is unmistakable, not wearing a seatbelt is a pointless, deadly risk. Make sure your teen understands the consequences of not wearing a seatbelt, both for the sake of safety and because it is against the law.

4. Driving with Friends

Speaking with another person, even if it is perfectly legal, can still be very dangerous, especially for new drivers who are just getting a feel for their new wheels. Studies have proven that when teens drive with other teens they can actually be more distracted than they would be while texting.

As a parent of a teen, you can monitor your child’s driving ability and, after they are lawfully permitted to do so, decide in your own time when your teen is ready to drive with another teen in the car. Or, encourage your teenager to ask their passengers not to distract him or her while they drive.

5. Taking Unnecessary Risks

New drivers are not always the best judges of distance, speed, or other basic traffic aspects that other, more experienced, drivers can gage somewhat easily. By forgetting to check blind spots, not using turn signals, or attempting to turn into quickly-approaching traffic, teenage drivers can seriously endanger themselves and others. Increase your teen’s chances of safety by encouraging them not to take risks, and make sure they understand all of the important aspects of defensive driving.

Driving always comes with an inherent risk, but taking certain precautions can help prevent unnecessary accidents, improving road safety for teens and everyone else. While DMV and other driving school educators do what they can, much of the education about road safety for teens must be learned at home. Discussing these 5 common mistakes with your teen and asking how they will avoid each danger can help instill in them safe driving techniques to keep them out of harm’s way and allow you to rest easy.

Filing a Trucking Accident Lawsuit

Each year, Virginia’s roads and highways see millions of miles traveled. Unfortunately, this can lead to thousands of serious auto accidents.

In 2020, large trucks were involved in 2,356 crashes in Virginia. Though only 15 truck drivers and 1 truck passenger were killed in these crashes, those inside of the smaller vehicles they struck often weren’t so lucky.

Nationwide, more than 7 in every 10 deaths in large truck accidents involve occupants of other vehicles. Truck crashes are also more likely to cause serious or catastrophic injuries than accidents involving other passenger vehicles. These injuries, along with the cost and degree of care needed afterward, can be life-altering.

Breit Biniazan wants you to know your rights after a crash. That’s why we work with you to make sure you understand the factors that may cause a truck accident, who may be responsible, and what damages you can recover if a trucking accident has affected you or someone you love.

Jump Ahead

Common Causes of Truck Crashes

Figuring out what caused a crash makes it easier to find the liable party and hold them accountable. Every crash is different, but there are a few factors that can make a crash more likely.

Driver Fatigue

Commercial truck drivers are required to follow federal hours-of-service regulations—the maximum amount of time drivers are allowed to spend on the road within a 24-hour period.

Under these regulations, drivers must take a break that’s at least 30-minutes every 8 hours. They’re also limited to a maximum of 11 hours of consecutive driving—and only after spending at least 10 hours off duty. Drivers can’t drive beyond the 14th hour after they’ve come on duty, even if they took frequent breaks during this period.

Unfortunately, drivers may still be vulnerable to fatigue, inattention, and sleepiness after spending so much time behind the wheel each day.

Drivers who violate hours-of-service regulations can put themselves and others at serious risk.

Although it’s a driver’s responsibility to abide by hours-of-service regulations, a trucking company may also be liable if there’s evidence that the company encourages drivers to falsify their hours of service or knew of the falsification and chose to look the other way.

Distracted Driving

Because commercial trucks are larger and take longer to stop than passenger vehicles, a truck driver who removes their eyes from the road for even a second could be risking a crash. This is one reason why federal regulations restrict truck drivers from using any handheld mobile devices while driving.

But talking or texting on a cell phone isn’t the only way for drivers to become distracted. Eating, applying makeup, using the radio, or even talking to a passenger can all cause drivers to pay less attention to the road in front of them, increasing the risk of a crash.

Oversized or Poorly Secured Loads

Drivers are responsible for ensuring their cargo remains secure and doesn’t overload the vehicle.

An improperly-balanced load can make the driver’s job much harder. If a load is lopsided or skewed too far forward or backward, the driver could lose control of the truck and collide with another vehicle. Additionally, an improperly-secured load could come loose and create a roadway hazard.

Impaired Driving

In all 50 states and the District of Columbia, drivers can be arrested and charged with DUI if they have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 or higher. But for drivers who hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL), the BAC threshold for impaired driving is 0.04.

This lower BAC threshold reflects the greater risk of serious harm if a driver’s reaction times are even mildly impaired by alcohol consumption.

Who is Responsible for Truck Crashes?

Responsibility for an accident depends entirely on the cause of the crash, and more than one person or party may be responsible for the injuries you’ve sustained. Some potential parties that may be responsible include:

The Truck Driver

Any drivers who were involved in the accident may be to blame if it resulted from their:

The Trucking Company

In some cases, both the truck driver and their employer may be liable for damages from an accident. Some examples of when a trucking company may share responsibility include when the company:

Trucking companies are responsible for ensuring the drivers they employ are abiding by all motor carrier laws and regulations. When a trucking company falls short in this duty, it can be legally responsible for any damages that result.

Manufacturers and Repair Shops

Sometimes an accident occurs not because of the truck driver or trucking company’s error, but because of mechanical failure of one or more truck components. This could include:

In these situations, the manufacturer or another third party may be responsible for the truck’s dangerous condition. This category can encompass both design and manufacturing defects.

Determining responsibility for an accident can be challenging. Your truck accident attorney will work to find evidence to support your claim, including dash-cam or surveillance videos, witness statements, police reports, and crash-scene photos.

How Long Do You Have to File a Trucking Accident Lawsuit?

Under Virginia law, injured plaintiffs generally have up to two years from the date of the accident or injury to file a lawsuit against the parties responsible.

However, there are many exceptions to this statute of limitations, and you shouldn’t assume your case can’t be litigated just because more than two years have passed. A trucking accident attorney can assess the facts of your case and help you decide the best path forward.

What Damages Are Available?

If your lawsuit is successful, you may be able to recover compensation. Trucking accident damages fall into two main categories: compensatory and punitive.

Compensatory damages are designed to compensate you for your actual losses. They may include:

Punitive damages are intended to punish the at-fault party and prevent similar behavior from recurring in the future.

These damages are reserved for cases in which the defendant’s behavior is especially egregious—such as encouraging drivers to break the law or failing to discipline drivers with serious safety violations. Unlike compensatory damages, an award of punitive damages doesn’t need to be based on costs the victim has incurred.

An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you assess whether you’re entitled to compensation and what damages you should seek.

Contact a Trucking Accident Attorney

When you need quality truck accident representation, Breit Biniazan is here to help. Our dedication and professionalism will ensure that your case is looked after by trained professionals whom you can trust.

We’ll work with you to assess your case, explore your options, and help you decide the options that are best for you. To get a free, confidential case evaluation, contact us online or call our experienced legal team at (855) 659-4457 today.

How Do Personal Injury Lawyers Get Paid?

You may have wondered how personal injury plaintiffs can afford to hire attorneys when they’re already facing medical bills, lost wages, and other injury-related expenses.

Because of the financial impact that a physical injury can have on a plaintiff, a traditional dollars-per-hour fee arrangement just doesn’t make sense.

Instead, personal injury attorneys are paid on a contingency fee basis that ensures that no money changes hands until the case is resolved in the client’s favor.

Below we discuss the different types of contingency fee agreements attorneys use and how they can benefit personal injury clients.

What Is a Contingency Fee?

As the name implies, a contingency fee is a fee that’s contingent on a positive outcome for the client.

Generally, this means that if the client wins, the attorney recovers their contingent fee from the settlement or legal judgment. If the client doesn’t win, the attorney charges nothing except expenses agreed to in advance.
What kinds of lawyers use contingency fees?

Contingency fee agreements are common in cases involving:

It’s important to note that contingency fees generally only apply to the plaintiff’s side of litigation.

Someone defending against a personal injury, wrongful death, or medical malpractice claim will usually need to pay their attorney on an hourly or retainer basis.

In some cases, insurance may cover these defense costs up to a certain threshold; after that, the defendant is responsible for any remaining costs.

What types of contingency fee agreements are available?

There are several common types of contingency fee agreements.

Traditional contingent fees

These fees are a flat percentage of the plaintiff’s total recovery—often between 25% and 33%. For example, if a plaintiff’s case settles for $100,000 and the contingency fee agreement provides for a 25% fee, the plaintiff will retain $75,000 of the total.

Sometimes these fees will specifically include or exclude certain costs, like costs your lawyer incurs during discovery or filing fees. Costs that are excluded from the fee will be separately deducted from the amount recovered.

Mixed hourly and contingent fees

Here, the attorney will receive a significantly reduced hourly rate even if the plaintiff doesn’t recover any damages. However, if the attorney wins or settles the case, they may receive an additional “bonus”—either a dollar amount or a percentage of the total amount recovered—that makes up the bulk of the fee.

Sliding scale contingent fees

In this case, the fee percentage is on a sliding scale to account for the complexity of the litigation. The longer a lawsuit goes on, the more fees are generated—for example, an attorney may charge a fee of 20% if a case is settled before trial, 30% if it settles after a complaint is filed, or 40% if it goes all the way through trial.

These fees and the percentage charged are often negotiable, and many personal injury attorneys will use different fee arrangements based on the type of case, the client’s needs, and other case-related factors.

What is the percentage charged under a contingency fee agreement?

Generally, contingency fees fall between 25% and 40% of the amount recovered, with many fees set at 33% (or 1/3rd of the recovery).

Some states have laws that cap contingency fees at a certain percentage. However, Virginia uses a “reasonableness” standard that will generally uphold any fee agreement that is within this range and doesn’t otherwise violate public policy.

How does a contingency fee treat additional costs?

A straight contingency fee agreement will include costs in the fee—but for some cases, attorneys may bill costs separately.

For example, a contingency fee agreement may provide for a 25% fee plus the first $10,000 in non-fee-related costs. If the plaintiff recovers $500,000 and the attorney incurs $25,000 in costs while litigating the case, the attorney will recover a total of $135,000—$125,000 as the contingent fee and $10,000 in costs.

Benefits of Contingency Fee Arrangements

Contingency fees can benefit clients in several important ways.

You know your case has a good shot at success.

Put simply, lawyers working under contingency fee agreements don’t want to take cases they don’t think they’ll win. If an attorney takes your case under such an agreement, this means you have a high likelihood of settling or winning your case.

You don’t need to fee-shop among attorneys.

When you’re looking for someone to represent you in a personal injury case, you aren’t likely to have the time or energy to seek out multiple quotes to find the most affordable option. What’s more, when it comes to fighting for your rights in court, you also want the best representation available.

A contingent fee means you don’t have to settle for a lawyer you can “afford.” Instead, you can select the best attorney for your case or situation without having to pay more for higher-quality representation. This puts a tremendous amount of power back into the hands of those who are injured.

A contingency fee means you can select the best attorney for your case without having to pay more for higher-quality representation.

You don’t need to worry about how to pay for legal advice.

If you’ve been injured due to another person’s negligent or reckless behavior, you’re probably facing medical bills, unpaid time off work, or even a permanent disability. Meanwhile, many wrongful death cases sadly involve the death of a beloved breadwinner, putting his or her loved ones under financial strain.

A contingency fee ensures that you’ll only pay legal fees if you win your case, whether through settlement or a court judgment. This can relieve some of the financial pressure you may be feeling and allow you to focus on what’s important—recovery and moving forward.

At Breit Biniazan, our skilled personal injury attorneys only recover if you win. With a proven record of success in even the most complex personal injury, medical malpractice, and wrongful death cases, we’ll give your case the attention it deserves. Give us a call at (855) 659-4457 or contact us online to schedule a private consultation.

What to Do After an Auto Accident in Virginia

The moments immediately after a car accident are stressful, chaotic and sometimes terrifying.. 

Most likely, you’re dealing with the trauma and shock of what just happened and are unsure of what to do next. This is understandable. 

After you get through with the immediate needs at the scene of the accident, oftentimes the next phase of the process can get even more complicated. The next few months can be tough as you deal with insurance companies, possible legal matters, and repair or rental car logistics. You shouldn’t have to worry about these issues when you’re already dealing with physical, emotional, and financial trauma.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take both immediately after the collision and in the weeks and months afterward to protect your interests moving forward.

Jump Ahead

Step 1: Protect Your Health

If you or anyone else has suffered a serious injury at the scene of the accident, call 911 immediately.

Even if you don’t seem to be injured, it’s a good idea to get a medical examination. Some symptoms may not arise for days, even weeks. Other injuries, like concussions, may initially seem minor but then become worse. Adrenaline can make it difficult to tell how seriously you’re injured.

If you claim you aren’t injured or don’t seek treatment, but later develop crash-related injuries you may later have trouble connecting your injuries to the crash.

Step 2: Call the Police

You can accomplish several things by calling 911 after a crash.

First, you can get the help you need to get the cars out of the road and make sure everyone is safely out of harm’s way. 

Second, you can request an ambulance to tend to any of the injured parties. 

Finally, you, any passengers in your vehicle, the other vehicle’s passengers, and witnesses can give detailed statements to the police to be put in a report. This report may come in handy later.

Tell the truth about the accident to the investigating officer and provide any details you can remember. But if you’re unsure about an element of the accident, be sure to say that. Don’t give incriminating testimony that assumes personal guilt, as this can hurt your case.

Step 3: Exchange Information

When someone tries to deny liability but doesn’t offer their contact information, it can be difficult. You want to exchange:

The more information that you can gather to give to your insurance company, the better. 

You can also get the contact information of any witnesses who may have seen the crash happen and can attest to who was at fault. This can help the insurance companies, and later, your lawyer if necessary.

Step 4: Document the Scene

We know that it may not always be possible to take pictures of the scene, especially if you’ve sustained a serious injury.
But whenever you can, take pictures. These can be provided to the insurance companies or even used to build your personal injury claim. Pictures are some of the greatest forms of proof, and they can help show who was at fault.

Why is it Important to Take Photos After an Accident?

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and this is certainly true when you’re dealing with the aftermath of a motor vehicle accident. These crashes can be extremely damaging and often cause severe injuries and substantial harm. 

Police and highway personnel will clean up crash scenes quickly to keep other drivers out of danger. This means that the photos taken immediately after a crash are most likely to reflect the exact conditions leading up to it.

Taking Photos After an Accident: Tips and Tricks

Be as thorough as you need to be by taking images of all angles. It’s always better to take too many photos rather than too few, so take as many photos as you can and go through them later with your attorney. 

Be sure to photograph:

Begin by taking pictures of the entire scene, including the road, intersection, sidewalk, and general surroundings of the crash site. 

It’s important to record the big picture, not just the details. Include shots of the surrounding weather, like rain clouds, icy roads, or foggy skies that could have affected visibility or control.

If you or any other vehicles involved hit an object, take pictures of that as well. Include images of the road, especially images of debris or skid marks, which can sometimes reveal details about the crash.

Next, take photos of every vehicle involved in the accident, especially your own. Use different angles and focus your camera on the damaged area. 

Be sure you get a few images of the other vehicle’s license plate to remove any doubt as to the driver’s identity.

Step 5: Contact a Lawyer

Having photo evidence of your crash can make filing insurance claims and proving injuries and damages much easier. 

But while photos help, having the legal counsel of an experienced personal injury lawyer is still essential if you wish to recover maximum compensation. Having a lawyer can help protect your rights and prepare you for each step so you know what to expect throughout the process.

If you were in an accident, our personal injury attorneys in Virginia can provide compassionate legal help so that you can focus on getting back on your feet. 

At Breit Biniazan, we’ve helped hundreds of injured plaintiffs recover damages against other drivers, and we can help you too. Give us a call today to discuss your legal options.

Contact us online or by calling (855) 659-4457.