Anyone who has been in an auto accident knows how disorienting and alarming the immediate aftermath can be. However, the minutes and hours after a crash are the best time for victims to capture photographic evidence that can make all the difference in the success or failure of any subsequent claim for financial compensation.
Why post-accident photos matter
Issues of fault and negligence in auto accidents are not always easily or quickly determined. Therefore, photographic evidence taken soon after the fact can prove invaluable when it comes time to file claims with insurance carriers or pursue a personal injury lawsuit in the courts. Photos provide clear depictions of what happened, the physical locations of the vehicles involved and the damage resulting from the impact.
Because recollections can rapidly fade or be tainted by personal bias, head trauma or other factors, documentation of this type really can make or break arguments concerning liability.
How to capture valuable car accident images
The ubiquitous nature of cell phones equipped with cameras makes it easier than ever to capture a large volume of good-quality photos following a car crash. Take as many images as possible from a variety of angles and distances, waiting until later to select the ones that best illustrate what occurred. Some of the most useful shots to get include those that encompass:
- All vehicles involved in the collision and the damage on each
- Your own vehicle and the damage sustained
- Shards of glass and broken vehicle components on the roadway
- Skid marks on the road surface
- Details of the prevailing weather conditions at the time of the accident
- The immediate surroundings including intersections, sidewalks, traffic signals
- Relevant geographical reference points such as road signs or mile markers
- Immediately noticeable injuries to all parties involved
- Police and ambulance personnel responding at the scene
Being as thorough as possible in documenting the accident site can greatly enhance an injury victim’s chances of securing a fair amount of compensation in the event of an insurance dispute or in litigation.
Other valuable post-accident photographic evidence
While it is true that many serious car accident injuries are apparent almost instantaneously, it must be remembered that there are others that take several days or even longer to manifest themselves. Deep bruising, contusions and swelling may exhibit delayed signs of onset, and it is therefore wise to continue taking photos of all harm produced by the collision, whenever it actually presents. Doing so ensures that the full scope of the damage done is recorded for use in the claims and compensation process.
Aggressive advocacy for car accident victims in Louisiana
Each and every vehicle crash has a distinct fact pattern and unique nuances which must be carefully explored if a victim’s recovery claim is to be successful. Louisiana auto accident attorney Bart Bernard understands which types of documentary evidence are most persuasive when doing battle with insurance companies and at-fault drivers. He works collaboratively with medical experts, crash investigators and others to build convincing cases for injured parties across Louisiana.
For a no-cost consultation and a confidential discussion of your legal options following a serious accident, we invite you to contact us by calling our offices in Lafayette or in Baton Rouge.
Additional “taking photos after a car accident” resources
- Edmunds, How Car Insurance Companies Handle Car Accident Claims, https://www.edmunds.com/auto-insurance/how-car-insurance-companies-handle-car-accident-claims.html
- DMV, How Car Insurance Companies Investigate Accident Claims, http://www.dmv.org/insurance/how-car-insurance-companies-investigate-accident-claims.php
