After an accident occurs, you have an opportunity to perform two critical tasks: Don’t admit liability or apologize for the accident. Post-accident stress often pushes drivers into acting against their best interests. Some drivers admit fault when they don’t fully understand the liability issues. Others revert to unnecessarily polite behavior, often apologizing, even when they did nothing wrong. You must avoid these behaviors. These unfounded statements often come back to haunt you during accident investigations, depositions, and trials. Document as much evidence as you can. While you’re waiting for the investigating police officer, document evidence using your smartphone. Take pictures of the other person, their license, and their insurance card. Get close-up and distant photos of the cars, points of impact, plates, and damage. Photograph the accident scene: debris, traffic signs and lights, pavement, and other scene aspects. Record witnesses’ contact information before they leave the scene. If you’re physically incapable of performing these tasks yourself, ask for a bystander’s help.