Tips for Car Accident Scene Photography

Undoubtedly, experiencing a car accident can be devastating and overwhelming. However, it's important to preserve as much evidence as possible, like taking notes and photos, at the scene of the accident. When you're trying to prove damages, photographs can be very effective. Photos of the accident scene and property damages can eliminate doubts and disputes raised by the other driver or his or her insurance company. Read on to discover tips for effective car accident scene photos.

Importance of Accident Photos: Preserving Evidence

To preserve evidence, you should take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any property damages immediately after the accident. Preserving evidence is critical in a car accident case because it can support your legal claims and provide proof of fault and damages. Whether you're requesting a claim with an insurance company or pursuing a lawsuit, the photos of the accident scene and the property damage will help the claims adjuster or the court accurately determine the amount of damages. Depending on the quality of the accident scene photos, you may receive a better settlement offer.

Taking Effective Car Accident Photos

Accident scene photography can be used as solid evidence as long as it reflects accurate details and context. While pictures of damages are important, evidence of the surrounding areas is important as well. Here are some tips for taking effective car accident photos:

• Take general views of the accident scene: Get an overall view of the accident scene. Take multiple photos of the scene from different angles. Don't worry about the details in these pictures.
• Get all vehicles involved in the accident in the picture: Make sure you get the vehicles' relative positions and different angles of their proximity to other cars.
• Traffic lights and signs: Take photos of any traffic lights, stop signs, yield signs, and any other traffic indicators that are near the accident scene.
• Conditions of the weather: Take photos of the weather condition, such as clouds, rain, or snow. These photos can be used if the other driver, who is at fault for the accident, blames the weather for playing a role in the crash.
• Objects damaged by the accident: Get photos of any damaged street signs, trees, guardrails, or any other stationary objects damaged by the accident.
• Detailed views of the damaged vehicles: Get close-ups of any broken glasses, windows, scratches, and any other damaged parts of the vehicles. Check inside the vehicle and get photos of any interior damages as well.
• License plates and insurance cards: Take photos of license plates of all vehicles involved in the accident and the other drivers' insurance cards.
• Condition of the roads and surrounding areas: Take photos of any roadside debris, skid marks, or any other signs of crash in surrounding areas.
• People involved in the accident: Take photos of the other driver(s), any passengers, witnesses, and police officers to avoid any confusion in identifying the people involved in the accident. However, do not take photos of injured people.
• Any physical injuries you sustained: Take photos of any injuries you sustained that are visually apparent.

Keep in mind that safety comes before anything else. Check the condition of yourself and other people involved in the accident first. Also, be respectful of the privacy rights of others. For example, you shouldn't post any of the pictures of others on social media.

Questions About Car Accident Scene Photography? Talk to a Lawyer

Many people fail to realize how important accident scene photography is as evidence in their car accident claims. Whether you have photos of the accident scene or not, there are many ways to recover car accident damages. Contact a qualified car accident attorney in your area today to explore your legal options.