Finding your phone may not be the first thing on your mind after a car accident, but it should be. With your phone, you can call for emergency assistance, which is important to do even if it seems like the accident was minor.
You can also use your phone to take pictures. Often the photos you take after a collision provide the best evidence to piece together the causes of the accident and the harm arising from it. Here’s what you need to know about taking pictures after a car accident.
Photograph Damage from Every Angle
Experts on accident reconstruction can determine a variety of factors based on photographic evidence. That means you want to give them as much as possible. While the causes of your accident may seem obvious to you, the goal is to make them obvious to a judge or insurance company, so take lots of pictures.
Photograph your car and other vehicles involved from every angle. Take pictures close up and from a distance. Don’t forget to photograph the interior of all vehicles as well. Take pictures of your tires, and if possible, your engine. If you can, turn on your vehicle’s lights and photograph the car to show that all lights were working at the time of the accident.
Take Photos of the Accident Scene
In addition to the vehicles involved in the accident, you should take pictures of the scene around the accident. This includes:
- Any skid marks in the vicinity
- Wet spots that could indicate fluid leaks from vehicles
- The road conditions and any debris
- Obstacles and anything that could obstruct drivers’ views
- Road signs and signals within 100 yards
- Nearby structures and cameras
If the accident occurs at night, come back the next day to take additional pictures to capture more detail.
Collect Identification Information with Photos
The quickest and most accurate way to collect identifying information is by using the camera on your phone. Take photos of everyone’s ID cards, including emergency workers, tow truck drivers, witnesses, and others involved in the accident.
In addition, take pictures of license plates, insurance cards, VIN numbers, and the address numbers of buildings nearby.
Preserving Your Photos
Once you’ve gathered this valuable evidence, you need to protect it. Try to keep the photos on your phone, if possible, but also download copies to a computer and store copies in two or three different locations. Printing copies of all or some photos can also be very helpful.
It is important to maintain the EXIF data for the photos. This metadata records the time and date photos were taken.
An Experienced Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You Collect the Best Evidence After an Accident
If you were too stunned or too injured to take photos after a car accident, that does not mean you have no hope of recovery. An experienced car accident attorney understands how to locate and preserve the best evidence available to support your claim. Accident lawyers know the important signs to look for at the scene of an accident, and can help recover images from traffic cameras and other sources to help piece together the causes of the accident.
To get help from the dedicated team at Johnnie Bond Law, just give us a call. We work to support accident victims in every way to help them rebuild and move forward after tragic accidents.