Prior to moving any accident vehicles, you should:

• A. Interview All Witnesses
• B. Outline the Shape of Each Vehicle
• C. Photograph or Draw the Location of Each Vehicle
• D. Identify the Driver at Fault of the Accident

Answer: (C)

Documenting the scene before moving any accident vehicles is essential because the initial positions and orientations of the vehicles, along with their relationship to surrounding landmarks, provide critical clues about how the crash happened. Photographing or drawing the location creates a permanent record you can refer back to for reconstruction and investigations. Moving vehicles first can disturb or destroy evidence—such as contact points, crush patterns, skid marks, debris paths, and the overall geometry of the scene—making it much harder to determine sequence and causation later. Witness statements are valuable, but fault determination isn’t done on the spot; it comes after gathering and reviewing the evidence. While noting vehicle shapes might be helpful, the priority is to preserve the exact scene layout before any changes. Safety and hazard control come first, then documentation, and only then moving vehicles if it’s necessary.