The moments following an accident seem chaotic. You’re shaken, perhaps hurt, and you’re trying to understand what just happened. However, if you’re physically able, taking out your phone to take photos might be one of the most important things you do. Insurance companies love to dispute claims. They will wonder how the accident happened, who was at fault, and whether your injuries are really as bad as you say. Good photos of the scene contrast with these disputes. They provide our team at Burton Law Firm with the evidence they need to build the strongest case possible.
Why accident photos are so important
Your memory fades. The witnesses disappear. Physical evidence is cleaned, repaired or destroyed. The photos create a permanent record of exactly what things looked like right after the accident. A Raleigh personal injury attorney will tell you that cases with strong photographic evidence generally settle faster and for better amounts. Insurance adjusters can’t as easily downplay the damage or blame you for the accident when clear pictures show otherwise.
The photos also help accident reconstruction experts understand what happened. Skid marks, vehicle positions and road conditions. They all tell a story. Without photos, this story becomes a guessing game between what you remember and what the other driver claims.
What you should photograph
If you can do it safely, document everything. Take more photos than you think you need. You can always delete extras later, but you can’t go back in time to capture what you missed.
Essential photos to take:
- All vehicles involved from multiple angles
- License plates of each vehicle
- Damage to all vehicles (close-ups and wide shots)
- Skid marks, debris and liquid spills on the road
- Traffic signs, signals and road markings
- Weather and lighting conditions
- Your visible wounds
- The other driver’s insurance card and license
- Any material damage beyond vehicles
Don’t just take photos of your car. Take photos of other vehicles as well, even if they look good. Sometimes damage that seems minor at first turns out to be significant once a mechanic inspects it.
Common Photography Mistakes
Taking blurry photos in a hurry doesn’t help your case. Make sure your images are clear and well lit. If it’s dark, use your phone’s flash or wait for better lighting if you can safely remain at the scene. Some people only photograph the damage to their own vehicle and that is a mistake. You must show the full context of what happened, including road conditions, traffic controls, and the positions where vehicles ended up. Never move vehicles before photographing them, unless for safety reasons or if asked to do so by the police. The position of the cars often proves who is at fault.
When you can’t take photos yourself
If you are seriously injured, your health comes first. Don’t worry about the photos if you need immediate medical attention. Ask a passenger, witness or responding officer if they can take photos for you. Police reports sometimes include photos, but don’t count on that. Many officers do not photograph minor accidents. Even when they do, their photos may not capture everything that matters to your claim.
How your photos contribute
Your attorney will use photos of the accident scene throughout your case. They strengthen demand letters to insurance companies, assist in settlement negotiations, and constitute evidence if your case goes to court. Photos often reveal details you didn’t notice at the scene. A Raleigh personal injury attorney can spot a traffic violation, dangerous road conditions, or vehicle defect in your footage that strengthens your case. Sometimes insurance companies ask their own investigators to photograph the scene days or weeks later. At that point, the skid marks disappeared, the debris disappeared, and the story changed. Your immediate photos show the truth before anything is changed or cleaned. Contact us to discuss your case today.
