The most important factor is evidence of negligence. This means proving that one driver failed to act with reasonable care, directly causing the crash. Evidence includes traffic law violations (like running a red light), distracted driving, speeding, or driving under the influence. The core question is: whose careless action or failure to act created the dangerous situation? Police reports, witness statements, and physical evidence are all used to establish this sequence of events and identify the negligent party.

Yes, you should obtain at least two to three estimates from comparable contractors. This demonstrates due diligence and establishes a market-rate range for the repairs. Do not automatically submit the highest estimate. Instead, analyze the scope and detail of each. The most thorough and reasonable estimate, often the middle one, is typically the most defensible. Using an inflated estimate can damage your credibility and slow down the settlement process.

The biggest mistake is not taking any. Others include failing to capture scale or context (use a common object for reference), only taking close-ups without wide shots, or editing/filtering the images, which can destroy their credibility. Never delete photos or videos, even if they seem unhelpful; your opponent’s attorney could use this to suggest you are hiding evidence. Always preserve the original, unaltered files with their original timestamps and data.