Before turning on your vehicle, the first thing you should always do is put your cell phone away. Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of car accidents. Using a phone behind the wheel is also illegal in California. You’re only able to use it in a hands-free way, such as speakerphone or voice commands.
However, if an accident occurs, it’s time to take out your phone and photograph the scene. Pictures are incredibly beneficial in a personal injury case. After you seek medical attention, bring the photos to a California car accident attorney. They can investigate your claim and possibly use the photos you took as evidence.
Photographs Show Extent of Vehicle Damage
It might be clear to you that the other driver was responsible for causing the accident, but they will never admit to it. They may even claim their vehicle caused no damage to yours. Pictures taken at the scene can prove otherwise. What’s even more critical is to time-stamp your photos. Doing so will prevent the other driver or their insurance company from claiming the damages occurred after the accident.
Pictures Can Prove Your Injuries
Similar to taking photos of vehicle damage, documenting your injuries will help your injury claim in California. Time-stamped images can show that your injuries resulted from the accident. Again, this will prevent the other party from claiming that they did not cause any injuries. Photos will also give more context to the extent of your injuries than an X-ray will.
Photos Might Show Causation
Most importantly, photos from the accident scene might be able to show which driver caused the accident. For example, say you were making a left turn, but another driver hits you. You claim they were speeding, making the other driver responsible for the accident. However, they claim they were going under the limit. If they were speeding, there are likely skid marks on the road. Taking a time-stamped photo of the marks may help prove liability.
Take Photos of Witnesses
If your case goes to trial, taking photos of witnesses will be helpful. It’s not uncommon for the defendant’s attorney to argue that the person testifying did not see the accident. Having pictures of them at the scene can prove otherwise. Just make sure to ask permission before taking their photograph.
What Should I Take Pictures of at the Accident Scene?
The immediate aftermath of a car accident is confusing. If you have never been in one, you might not even know what to photograph. It might be beneficial to keep this list of what to take pictures of on your phone to be safe.
- Vehicle damage
- Injuries
- Skid marks
- Debris and shattered glass
- Inside of vehicles
- Traffic lights and signs
- Traffic cameras or other security devices
- Road and weather conditions
When in doubt, take pictures of everything you think can help your claim.
How to Take Photos of a Car Crash Scene
This will be your only time to photograph the accident, so take as many photos as possible. You’ll want a variety of up-close and wide-shot photos, and take them from different angles. If the accident was at night, use flash for close-ups, but turn it off for far-away pictures.
Depending on how the vehicles are positioned, you may have to photograph the other driver’s license plate. Before you do, ask for permission. You can still take photos if they say no, but you’ll have to be creative to ensure the license plate is not in it.
Seek Assistance from a Skilled California Car Accident Attorney Today
Don’t miss out on your opportunity to collect financial compensation for your accident-related expenses, so make sure to take photos at the accident scene. Then, contact the experienced car accident attorneys at Setareh Law. They have years of experience handling these cases and will do everything possible to obtain you a favorable outcome. Call (310) 659-1826 or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation.