Setareh Law
December 29, 2024
When people get into car accidents, the aftermath of the accident can be extremely disorienting, chaotic, and even traumatizing. In addition to possible injuries and car damage, there most likely is going to be a lot of movement around the scene. For example, law enforcement, witnesses, onlookers, and others probably will converge on the scene.
Before the accident scene becomes too chaotic, you want to make sure that you take accident scene photos as soon as possible after the accident so that you can capture the scene undisturbed. Those pictures may be helpful later when it comes to telling the story of what happened during the crash, and the photos may help you when filing for damages.
Safety First at the Accident Scene
When involved in a car accident, safety should always be your top priority. Before taking any photos, ensure that you and others involved in the accident are safe and out of harm’s way. If anyone is injured, call 911 or seek medical attention immediately. If the accident occurred on a busy road, move to a safe location to avoid further risk.
When taking photos, be mindful of your surroundings and avoid putting yourself or others in danger. If you’re unable to take photos due to injury or safety concerns, ask a bystander or passenger to assist you. Remember, your safety is more important than capturing photos.
Tips for Taking Good Photos after a Car Accident in California
You need to make sure that you take the right types of pictures that will tell as much of the story of the auto accident as possible. The following tips will help you take the best and most helpful photos of the car accident scene:
Take Pictures of Any Injuries after a Car Accident
High on the list of the pictures you need to take are photos of your injuries. You should take pictures of any injuries as soon as possible after the crash to show that your injuries came from the accident itself. You’ll also want to take pictures of any bruising that pops up in the days immediately following the accident. Some injuries might not show signs or symptoms until days later. Document such injuries as you notice them.
Take Clear Pictures of the Location after a Car Accident
Take as many pictures as you can of the location where the car accident happened. You should take note of any traffic signs, road signs, stop signs, street name signs, and anything else that could work as an identifying marker. You’ll also want to pay particular attention to the location of traffic signals and stop signs. This information could help determine if someone was at fault for either ignoring or not seeing the signs.
In addition, you should try to take pictures of the accident from at least three different angles. To do a close-up, try to take a photo that’s no more than five feet away from your subject. If you plan to take photos at a medium distance, you will want to take pictures that are no more than fifteen feet away from the subject. If you can, try and take long-distance shots of the accident that are at least twenty feet away from the subject. Taking longer-distance shots provides a well-rounded, overall view of the accident scene.
Take Detailed Photos of the Damage after a Car Accident
It’s extremely important that you take pictures of the vehicle damage sustained by your car and by any other cars involved in the accident. Take pictures of everything from slight scuff marks to completely totaled vehicles. Don’t forget to take pictures of any debris that may have broken loose from the car or cars during the accident. This includes shattered glass, broken doors, ruined tires, and anything else that may have been broken or destroyed due to the impact of the crash.
Take Pictures of the Weather Conditions and Skid Marks on the Day of a Car Accident
Weather often plays a huge role in car accidents. If the roads were slippery due to rain or flooding, or they were not passable due to snow or ice, you will want to capture such conditions on film. Some accidents have taken place because of the way that the sun hit a driver’s windshield. Capture as much of this imagery as you can so that your car accident lawyers will have as much evidence to work with as possible.
Organizing and Preserving Your Photos
After taking photos of the accident scene, it’s essential to organize and preserve them properly. Here are some tips to help you do so:
- Create a folder on your phone or computer specifically for your car accident photos.
- Label each photo with a description of what it shows, including the date, time, and location of the accident.
- Save your photos in a format that can be easily shared with your insurance company or attorney, such as JPEG or PDF.
- Make multiple copies of your photos and store them in different locations, such as on your phone, computer, and external hard drive.
- Consider creating a timeline of events, including the accident and any subsequent medical treatment or communication with your insurance company.
By organizing and preserving your photos, you’ll be able to easily access and share them when needed, which can help support your insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.
Using Your Photos to Support Your Claim
Your car accident photos can be a valuable tool in supporting your insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. Here are some ways to use your photos effectively:
- Share your photos with your insurance company to help them understand the extent of the damage and any injuries sustained.
- Use your photos to create a visual timeline of events, which can help establish the cause of the accident and any subsequent injuries or damages.
- Include your photos in your insurance claim or lawsuit to provide concrete evidence of the accident and its aftermath.
- Use your photos to identify any potential safety hazards or contributing factors, such as skid marks, broken glass, or weather conditions.
- Consider creating a photo album or presentation to share with your attorney or insurance company, which can help them better understand your case.
By using your car accident photos effectively, you can help build a strong case and increase your chances of receiving fair compensation for your injuries and damages.
Contact the Skilled California Accident Attorneys at Setareh Law
Getting into an accident is understandably traumatic, but making an effort to take photos of the scene could make all the difference down the road. Such photos could help you later when you file a claim.
At Setareh Law, we have extensive experience helping car accident victims in California obtain the help that they deserve. To schedule a free case evaluation, you can call (310) 659-1826 or fill out our online contact form.
