Preserving Evidence After an Injury in Washington

Protect your case while you heal by securing proof before it disappears.

Evidence fades fast—but your recovery depends on it. Cars are repaired or crushed, cameras overwrite footage, and memories blur. Acting quickly to protect proof often makes the difference between a lowball offer and a fair recovery. At Dalton Law Office in Vancouver, we move fast so you can focus on healing while your story is preserved.

The Myth and the Reality

Myth: You can gather evidence later if you need it.
Reality: By the time you feel ready, much of it is gone. Insurance companies decide case value based on what you can prove today—not on what you remember months from now.

Quick Answers About Preserving Evidence

Do I need to save my totaled car?
Yes. Vehicles contain vital data like Event Data Recorder info (“black box”) and crash patterns. We arrange lawful downloads and expert inspections before the evidence is lost.

How soon should I act after an accident?
Immediately. Traffic footage may erase in days, and witnesses’ memories fade quickly. The earlier we step in, the stronger your case.

What kind of proof matters most?
Photos of injuries, crash scene conditions, medical records, and witness accounts. We also secure digital sources like dashcams, 911 audio, and rideshare data.

Can you help me document my injuries?
Yes. We make it easy to track bruising, swelling, and mobility changes with photos, notes, and secure uploads that align with your medical records.

What We Preserve and Why It Matters

Vehicles and crash scenes: We send investigators and, when needed, accident-reconstruction experts to capture crush patterns, skid marks, and black-box data.
Cameras and digital records: We secure traffic and business footage, dashcams, dispatch logs, and app trip data before they’re overwritten.
Injuries: Bruises fade, stitches are removed, and mobility changes. We help you keep a living record with photos, journals, and medical notes.
Witnesses: Early statements preserve powerful details—like the sound of impact or the smell of airbags—that bring your story to life.
Commercial vehicle cases: We move fast to protect ELDs, GPS, inspection logs, and dispatch records.
Premises injuries: Store footage, inspection logs, and lighting conditions can change within days. We secure proof before repairs erase the danger.
Paper trail: Medical bills, EOBs, and wage-loss documentation turn pain into proof.

Nicole’s Take

Preserving evidence is not busywork—it’s the foundation of your case. When proof is solid, insurers know we’re ready for court, and that leverage often leads to fair settlements without trial.

Practical Steps You Can Take

If you’re able, take photos of injuries and the accident scene, gather witness contact info, and save any documents you receive. Then call us. We’ll coordinate experts, send preservation notices, and build a chronological record while you focus on recovery.

Your Next Step

If you were hurt in Vancouver or anywhere in Washington, don’t wait. Call Dalton Law Office at (360) 213-0013 for a free case strategy session. Early action preserves your story—and protects your right to full recovery.

Dalton Law Office, PLLC

2904 Main Street, Vancouver, WA 98663

Phone (360) 213-0013

Personally serving in Southwest Washington’s Clark, Cowlitz, Kitsap, Lewis, Pacific, Thurston, Wahkiakum and Skamania Counties and municipal courts, including Vancouver, Washougal, Camas, Longview, Kelso, Battleground, Ridgefield, Centralia, Chehalis, Long Beach, Olympia, Shelton, Port Orchard, South Bend, Stevenson and surrounding areas.
*Shared with permission/anonymized. Past results don’t guarantee similar outcomes.