Taking Photos that Will Support Your Car Accident Claim
It can be easy, in the aftermath of an accident, to forget about things like taking photos to support an eventual insurance or personal injury claim. Using your phone, however, after a crash can be more important than you may imagine, as these photos can provide crucial evidence of both fault and liability, painting a picture of how the accident occurred, who caused it, and the extent of the resulting damage. Of course, accident victims should only take photos after a crash if it is safe to do so and emergency aid has been rendered to anyone who needs it.
Why Accident Scene Photos Matter
High-quality photos can make all the difference in the outcome of an insurance claim or personal injury case, corroborating your version of events, revealing the extent of your injuries, and helping establish fault. Blurry or missing photos, on the other hand, can cause confusion and can even damage a claim if they seem to contradict your testimony. To help avoid this, accident victims should be careful to take a few specific steps when taking photos after a crash.
Focus on Angles and Distances
Accident victims should start by taking photos of the damage to their own vehicle, followed by photos of all of the cars involved in the crash. It’s important to take photos from various angles, as this ensures that no dent, scrape, crushed bumper, or broken window will go overlooked. Considering distance is also critical when taking photos at an accident scene. Be sure to avoid limiting yourself to only one image, but try to take a series of photos from a lot of different angles and distances. This will more easily allow you to capture the context of the crash and provide a more complete perspective.
Don’t Forget Skid Marks
Besides taking photos of your vehicle and its relation to the other cars involved in the crash, it’s important to pay attention to things like skid marks on the road. These are details that are often overlooked, but can offer important information about:
- The speed of the vehicles prior to the crash;
- The direction the vehicles were traveling before the accident; and
- Whether the parties attempted to brake and/or swerve out of the way to avoid the collision.
When taking these photos, be sure to capture the skid marks in their entirety, showing where they begin and where they end. Measurements of these marks could go a long way towards proving fault for an accident.
Take Photos as Soon as Possible
It’s important to take photographs as soon as it is safe to do so after a crash. Conditions can change very quickly, with vehicles being moved out of position and eventually towed away. The lighting and weather can also change, both of which can impact liability. By taking swift action, you can ensure that you capture an image of the scene exactly as it looked at the time of the crash.
Atlanta Car Accident Attorneys
If you took photos after your car accident, you may be able to use those photos as evidence when filing a personal injury or insurance claim. Our experienced Savannah car accident lawyers are here to guide you through every step of your case. Call Shiver Hamilton Campbell at 404-593-0020 to get started.
Sources:
forbes.com/advisor/car-insurance/what-to-do-after-accident/
collisionrecon.com/speed-from-skidmarks/
