In a previous blog, we discussed the most important steps to take after a car accident. The tips we provided were aimed at helping you file a successful car insurance claim and ensuring the safety of you and everyone else involved in the crash. One of the most critical steps mentioned was taking photos of the accident scene.
A picture is worth a thousand words, but when it comes time to file an insurance claim, a picture can be worth thousands of dollars. The amount of effort you put into documenting the scene could make or break your claim. If there is a dispute related to liability or damages, photographs from the scene can be essential for proving your case.
Read on to find out how to take photos of a car accident scene:
1. Document the Damage
Ever watched a crime show? Those investigators comb every square inch of the scene for evidence, snapping shots of the tiniest details, from footprints to discarded chocolate wrappers. Apply that same scrutiny to your accident scene.
You should take photographs of:
- Any external and internal damage to the vehicles involved in the crash;
- Damage to street signs, curbs, and other objects; and
- Skid marks.
2. Take Photos of Your Injuries
Crash-related injuries can set you back thousands of dollars in emergency medical care and rehabilitation. Take pictures of any injuries you and your passengers sustained during the crash as soon as possible.
3. Get Close
The subtle details of an injury or piece of property damage will be fundamental for proving your claim. While you may be tempted to pack as much information into every picture as possible, close-up shots will more accurately capture the extent of the damage.
4. Shoot Wide
Wide shots help contextualize the accident, providing a useful overview that your insurer can use to understand how the crash took place.
5. Cover All Angles
Insurers can, and often will, dispute photographic evidence taken from only one angle. From their perspective, the image may not even be of your vehicle or may have been manipulated using photo editing software. You may be able to avoid major headaches down the line by snapping pictures from multiple angles.
6. Be Trigger Happy
Gone are the days of running out of film; our advanced smartphones can keep shooting until the charge runs out. Take a “more is more” approach when documenting evidence at the scene of a crash, snapping as many pictures as you can. Picture out of focus? Take it again. Photograph a little shaky? Hit the button. Leave nothing up to chance.
7. Phone a Friend
If you sustained severe injuries that are preventing you from snapping your own pics, ask a friend or family member to visit the scene to take photos. That small favor could be worth thousands of dollars in recovered repair costs and medical expenses.