Schedule Your Free
Consultation
(916) 778-3228
Top

How to Take Effective Car Accident Photos

Being involved in a car accident can be a traumatic experience, whether it’s your first time or your fourth. It can be difficult to think clearly and rationally at the moment, or even in the following days and weeks. Instead of relying on your memory, witness accounts, and a police report to back up your story, photographs provide empirical evidence of what took place.

After checking yourself for injuries, taking pictures immediately after can be an important part of recovering damages in a car accident claim or personal injury lawsuit. If you are unable to do so, ask a friend, family member, or someone else on the scene to take them for you.

Why Pictures are Important for Your Case

Pictures clearly show the extent of damage that each vehicle sustained, as well as the injuries of the people involved. If you do not take pictures right after the collision—and make sure they are dated as such—an insurer may question whether the damage or injury was related to the accident or another incident.

Photos also show the causation of a crash. For instance, damage to the side of a car could demonstrate the point of impact or skid marks on the road could show how fast a vehicle was traveling before the collision.

Taking the Most Effective Photos

Consider the following tips to take the most effective car accident pictures:

  • Take a photo of the overall scene if possible. A panoramic picture would be an ideal option or else you can take a few sweeping photos of the incident.
  • Photograph the vehicles and damage. Include shots of the license plate of each vehicle to prove ownership later in the claims process.
  • Photography any visible injuries. Remember to document all subsequent medical visits and the recovery process to demonstrate the full extent of the injuries suffered.
  • Take pictures of your surroundings. This includes traffic signs, road conditions, potential witnesses, and even the weather.
  • No matter how much storage you have on your phone, take as many pictures as possible.
  • Take photos of multiple photos of the same thing from different angles. Get plenty of up-close shots as well.

Another important step is to contact a car accident lawyer to help you recover compensation for your damages and injuries. An attorney can use photographic evidence to develop a strong case that shows how the crash occurred, who was at fault, and the extent of damages that you have suffered as a result of the other driver’s actions.

If you have been injured in a car accident in Sacramento, CA, request a free consultation with Eliot Reiner, APLC today.

Categories: 
Related Posts
  • Why You Shouldn't Apologize After an Accident Read More
  • Paralysis After a Car Accident Read More
  • Blindness, Vision Loss, & Eye Injuries Caused by Car Accidents Read More
/