Document the Scene
Do you know what to do if you are ever involved in a car accident? If not, this nine-part series “What To Do In a Car Accident” was created for you in mind. We have already discussed six important steps to take following a car crash. Here is tip #7: document the scene.
The previous step touched upon taking photos after a car accident. But why are photos so important? Shouldn’t all the information you have written down be enough to prove your case? Not necessarily.
As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. You could have pages upon pages written about every detail of the accident. While that information may be helpful, photos can be much more powerful. Photos show exactly the extent of the damage each vehicle suffered. Photos of lacerations and bruises prove that you were injured in the crash. Photos of skid marks may be able to prove that the person who hit you was speeding and had to slow down.
Taking Photos
Photos come in handy during the claims process. You should have a smartphone or camera on hand in your vehicle so you are prepared to take pictures after a crash. If you have to move your vehicle out of the road, you should ideally take a minute to snap some photos before doing so. That way, the police officers and insurance companies can see that, for example, the other car rear-ended you or failed to stop at the intersection and hit the side of your car.
Take various photos of the accident scene, including the damage to the cars, any injuries and the location of the accident. For example, if there are intersections or identifying landmarks, take photos of those. Get some pictures of the road and weather conditions as well. If you see anything, such as debris in the roadway, that may have contributed to the crash, get pictures.
It’s better to have too many photos than not enough. You can’t go back later and take more pictures, so take advantage of the opportunity now.
Using Witnesses
If there were witnesses, check to see if they have any photos as well. A photo, along with a witness who can verify everything that happened in the photo, is the most solid evidence you can have. This will certainly cement your case and help you from a legal standpoint.
If there were no witnesses, the crash could have been videotaped somewhere. You might even find that the intersection or gas station nearby recorded the entire accident on a surveillance camera. This can be extremely helpful when you’re filing an insurance claim.
With just about everyone owning a smartphone nowadays, it’s easier than ever to take photos after an accident. There’s no excuse for not being prepared. In a car accident, it’s important to have as much evidence as possible.