After a car accident, your head may be swimming. It can be a challenge to remember all the details of an accident, even when only a few hours has passed. When days or weeks have passed, will you remember your accident well enough to protect your claim from the attacks insurance companies may make? Photographs serve several very important purposes in an accident claim. They can jog your memory, provide visual evidence of the accident scene, and set conflicting records straight. Knowing what to photograph at the scene of a car accident, however, can be a challenge. Here are 5 things you need to capture.
1. Property Damage
These are among the most critical photos you will take at the accident scene. Be sure to get close-ups and medium-distance shots of the damage to all vehicles involved. Don’t forget to take pictures of the inside, as well, especially if the interior of your car or your personal belongings were damaged I the accident. When photographing the damage, try to include identifying markers whenever possible. This includes the license plate, VIN stickers, bumper stickers and decals, or custom paint designs.
2. Injuries
Your injuries are important to document, especially if they are extensive. Photographs of injuries can be used to fight claims that your injuries weren’t serious, since these images can stir an emotional reaction in many people, especially a jury. Document the injuries of not only yourself, but also your passengers. If you can get consent, you may also wish to photograph the injuries of the people in the other car. Never interfere with emergency medical personnel when taking these pictures, though.
3. Nearby Traffic Signs, Signals, and Road Markings
These photos can help reconstruct the accident scene and help investigators understand who may be at fault. If lights are malfunctioning, signs are overgrown, or there are other issues with the road signage, it may be used to help assign liability in your accident. However, conditions can change quickly, so it is important to document them quickly.
4. Scene in General
These images can provide context as to where the accident occur, what the conditions looked like, the position of the vehicles, and even who was there. Try to capture some shots of the general area, and see if you can take pictures of witnesses, first responders, the other driver, and their passengers. All these images can help you provide contest, identify people who were there, locate businesses that may have security footage of the accident, and other details that can help you build your narrative.
5. Details
Details are often the hardest thing to remember. Was it a Toyota or a Honda? Did they spell their name with an I or a Y? These pictures are meant to help you remember all those little details. Some of them may include:
- Color, make, and model of all involved vehicles
- The license plate numbers of the involved vehicles
- The driver’s license of the other driver
- The insurance information of the other driver
- The registration information of the involved cars
If you’ve been involved in an accident, you may be facing a difficult claim to recover the damages you are owed. At Belushin Law Firm, P.C., we can help you through every step of your claim, no matter how complicated it may look. Our experienced Brooklyn car accident attorneys are ready to help you fight back and we will work tirelessly to protect your best interests.
Schedule a free consultation today. Contact our team at (888) 918-9890.