When another motorist collides with your car, it's ideal if you can maintain a high degree of awareness that will help you should you decide to eventually hire an auto accident attorney and pursue legal action. Doing so might sometimes be a challenge, especially if you're injured, but whenever it's possible, assessing a number of things about the other driver may actually aid you in the future. Here are some things that you should try to assess immediately upon being in a car accident.

If The Driver Appeared Distracted

Distracted driving is obviously a major concern on today's roadways, as it contributes to a number of collisions. It's not always possible for you to tell if a driver was distracted upon him or her hitting your vehicle, but you may sometimes get indicators. For example, if you have the wherewithal to do so, consider snapping a photo of the other driver talking on the phone immediately upon the accident taking place if it appears to you as though the conversation began before the collision. Sometimes, there can be other signs of distraction; for example, if you see food spilled around the driver's seat, take a photo — this could suggest that the driver was distracted by eating at the time of the collision.

If Alcohol May Have Contributed

Sometimes, alcohol is a factor in collisions. While a drunk driver will likely face charges if he or she fails the police officer's field sobriety test, you may be able to bolster your case with a timely photograph. For example, perhaps the driver's blood-alcohol level is under the legal limit, alcohol could still have factored into the collision. If the driver had an open container, he or she may try to get rid of it before the police arrive. If you're able to snap a photo of the driver doing so, it could help your case.

If He/She Accepts Fault

It's common to talk to the other driver after the accident. If you wish, you might want to consider recording the conversation with your smartphone. In some instances, the other driver may admit fault with a statement such as, "I'm sorry — I was going too fast and couldn't brake in time." However, over time, and perhaps at the advice of an attorney, the driver may not claim fault. When you have this valuable recording, you can share it with your attorney to dramatically help your case.