When a driver leaves the scene, your next steps should be designed to preserve proof and prevent avoidable claim problems.
If you’re able:
- Call 911 first (even if you think injuries are minor). Medical documentation and an official incident record can be crucial when the other driver is gone.
- Request the crash scene be documented and ask the officer if there’s a way to note nearby cameras (businesses, apartment common areas, and traffic-facing locations).
- Write down what you remember immediately: vehicle color, make/model guess, partial plate information, direction of travel, and anything distinctive (scrape marks, a missing mirror, loud exhaust, etc.).
If you’re at the scene or can access your phone later:
- Take photos of injuries and visible damage, plus street signs, lane markings, and intersections.
- Note nearby locations where recording devices may exist (for example, businesses along commuting routes or camera-equipped parking areas).
Why speed matters in Crowley: local businesses and nearby property owners often retain surveillance briefly. The sooner your lawyer can identify likely video sources and request preservation, the better your chances of keeping the strongest evidence.


