Taking photos If you were injured in a car accident is important if you want to take legal action.
What should I take pictures of after my car accident?
Scene of the Accident
Taking photos of the road and weather conditions, traffic signals and signs, and overall roadway layout. Look for tire skid marks, broken glass, or other things left on the pavement. Sometimes visibility is a critical factor in a car accident, so look for large objects that may have obstructed the drivers’ view of the road. If there is a possible argument regarding the color of the traffic light (i.e. red light versus green light), make a video that shows the timing of the lights at the intersection for all paths of travel.
All Cars Involved
It is important that all of the cars that were involved in the accident should be photographed, even if there is no damage to one of them. The photographs will be helpful in identifying the cars involved (license plate, make, model, color). Property damage to the cars should also be pictured. If safety permits, take photos before the cars are moved. Take as many photos as you can and ensure you also get shots close-up and from a distance. This is critical to establishing the location of impact, the force of collision speed of travel, and direction of movement. Take pictures of the front windshield of the other drivers’ cars. Occasionally an object is hanging from the rearview mirror that blocks the view of the road.
Physical Injuries
Your injuries will gradually heal over time, so you should take photos right after an accident. Pictures of your injuries will help others determine your physical condition after the car accident. Sometimes your medical practitioner will name devices including an arm sling, cervical collar, walker, etc. Take pictures of these devices and, if you are able, keep these devices in a safe place even after they become unnecessary for your medical treatment. These devices may be used as evidence in your claim.
Important Tips
Be sure to set your digital camera or cellphone so that the date (and, if possible, time) is visible in the photo itself. This will help unravel the problem of having to remember when the photograph was taken if asked later on. Again, back up your digital photos by saving them onto a second hard drive, copying them onto a thumb drive, burning a copy onto a CD or DVD, and/or printing out the photographs. The last thing you want happening is losing these pictures because of malfunctioning electronics.
Contact our experienced Smith County, Texas firm
If you or a loved one were injured in an accident due to another party’s negligence, contact J. Chad Parker, PLLC today for a Smith County, Texas attorney who is ready to fight for the compensation you deserve.