In the past, prior to smartphones, taking pictures after a car accident was a much more difficult thing to accomplish. You would have to keep a camera in your vehicle, which was not always practical for everyone. However, now that many of us have cell phones, taking pictures in the aftermath of a motor vehicle accident should be among your list of priorities, assuming you are physically able to and it does not present a danger to your safety or the safety of those around you. It is also crucial to take specific types of pictures that will be particularly helpful to your case.
HERE ARE SOME TIPS REGARDING THE PICTURES YOU SHOULD TAKE AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT OCCURS:
- Property damage: Once you have made sure everyone is okay, called law enforcement to the scene of the accident, and exchanged information with the other driver involved, it is critical that you begin documenting the scene. You can start with taking pictures of property damage, which can include both internal and external damage sustained by any of the vehicles involved, damage to another object or building, and damage to traffic signs. If there are skid marks on the road, debris, or any other evidence, be sure to photograph that as well.
- Injuries: Not all serious injuries leave visible markings, but if you did sustain any that can be captured by a camera, be sure to take such photos. You should also continue to take pictures of them in the following days to show their progress. In some cases, injuries such as bruises will not immediately appear, so take pictures of them once they develop.
- The surrounding area: This is sort of in the same vein as the first bullet point, but it cannot be impressed enough how important it is to document the entire scene of the accident. Was there overgrown shrubbery at the intersection that obscured a traffic sign or made it hard for drivers to see other approaching vehicles? Photographing the conditions of the road at the time can be a key factor in your case.
- Witnesses, police officers, and the other driver: It can be hard to recall the details of a traumatic event, including the people who were present, so make sure you take pictures of them in case you need to speak to them again later. This could also serve as helpful information for your personal injury attorney. Remember to also photograph passengers.
- Other details: Take pictures of the vehicles involved, including license plate numbers. You should also consider taking pictures of the driver’s license, insurance, and registration information of the other driver.
Lastly, a good rule of thumb is to take more pictures than you need. You can always delete the ones you do not need later on, but you can never go back and recapture the scene.
TULSA PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS
If you were injured in a car accident that was caused by the negligent actions of another, you should not have to pay for that person’s mistakes. At Richardson Richardson Boudreaux, PLLC, we are dedicated to fighting for maximum compensation on behalf of those we serve. Reach out to us for the representation you deserve.
Reach out to our office today at 918-492-7674 to set up a free case review.