After a serious car accident, it is important to preserve as much evidence as possible to support your claim. Evidence helps you prove that the other driver caused your accident and injuries and helps establish negligence. The more evidence is gathered, the stronger the case your attorney can build to pursue the compensation you deserve.
Why Are Pictures Important After a Car Crash?
Some important evidence in a car accident case can only be found at the scene of the crash and needs to be obtained quickly. Pictures are a way to preserve evidence at the scene, such as:
- The relative positions of the vehicles involved
- Exterior and interior damage to the vehicles
- Skid marks on the road
- Broken glass or debris from the crash
- Traffic lights or signs
- Road signs to establish location
How Should You Photograph the Accident Scene?
The pictures you take after a motor vehicle crash should show accurate details and context for the accident. To take effective pictures for a car accident case:
- Take multiple pictures to get an overall view of the scene from different directions and angles.
- Capture all vehicles involved in the crash, showing their relative positions, angles, and proximity.
- Get shots of any traffic indicators near the scene, including stop signs, yield signs, and traffic lights.
- Take photos of the road and surrounding areas, showing skid marks, broken glass, debris, or any signs of the crash.
- Take pictures that show what the weather was like when the crash happened – whether it was sunny, cloudy, windy, raining or snowing.
- If any vehicle involved in the crash collided with a stationary object, such as a guardrail or tree, take pictures showing the damage the impact caused to that object.
- Get detailed photographs of the damage caused to the vehicles, including overall views and closeups of all damaged areas. Be sure to check for and take pictures of any interior damage.
- You are required to exchange information with the other drivers involved in the crash. Take pictures of their license plates and insurance cards.
- Get pictures of the other people at the accident scene – drivers and passengers of the other vehicles, eyewitnesses, and responding police officers. This makes it easier to identify people later on.
- Take photos of any visible injuries you sustained.
How Do You Record Personal Injuries?
It is important to document your injuries, at the time of the accident and throughout the treatment process. Photographs can show some injuries, such as bruises or lacerations, but not all injuries are visible, and some may not become apparent right away. Get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible after a car accident, for the necessary examination and treatment, and to document your injuries. Keep records of your medical treatment, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, and any costs related to your injuries. In addition to your medical records and receipts, keep records of the work you miss because of your injuries.
What Other Types of Information Can Help Your Claim?
Various evidence and information can help support your claim. You will need a copy of the police report related to the accident. Your attorney can obtain cell phone records for the other driver to determine if he or she was distracted at the time of the crash. Camera footage from a nearby business or vehicle can provide visual evidence of how the accident occurred. A 911 call could help establish whether the other driver was impaired. Commercial trucks and certain other types of vehicles have “black boxes” (event data recorders) that can provide a wealth of information about the other vehicle, including speed and braking.
If you have been seriously injured in a car accident, contact Allen Law at (843) 882-5005 to speak with a Charleston auto accident lawyer. We have a history of success recovering compensation for our clients.