Importance of Photos After An Accident
After a car accident in Alabama, most people are justifiably worried about things like how they’ll pay medical bills, how long it will take to get their car fixed, and whether they will lose their job due to absences. That’s understandable.
Because they are so distraught and worried about the immediate problems they are facing, people often forget to take measures to prove their case. One of the most important things you can do to help your car collision case is to take pictures of the scene, your injuries, and damage to the vehicles. Here are some simple suggestions for documenting your case.
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What Photographs Should Be Taken at the Scene of the Crash?
At the scene, there will likely be very little time to take pictures. If there are serious injuries, you will likely be more concerned about your health and safety than anything else. However, if you are able, you should try to take at least a few photographs of the scene using your cell phone or a camera. If you are unable to do so, ask a nearby witness or passenger to take them for you.
Here are some keys to taking photographs at the scene.
- Take pictures of all vehicles involved.
Try to get pictures of all the vehicles involved. You never know what may become important later. For instance, the other driver’s insurance company may try to argue you are at fault. Sometimes a good image of both vehicles will prove how the crash occurred, destroying defense arguments early. - Get up-close images as well as a few wide-angle shots of the collision.
Up-close images are helpful because they show things like paint transfer, depth of impact, and other details. Wide-angle shots are helpful because they give a broader view of the scene as a whole and help your attorney and investigators get an idea of how the crash took place. - Try to get pictures of skid marks or tracks.
Skid marks are perhaps one of the most overlooked and underrated pieces of evidence. A skid mark happens when someone slams on the brakes abruptly and forcefully. Say, for instance, that the other driver left 100 feet of skid marks before impact. If this is a 35 mph zone, then these skid marks would suggest the person was traveling much faster than the legal limit for that road. Skid marks help to prove things like speed, but a lack of skid marks may mean the person was not paying attention and therefore failed to attempt to stop. - Take pictures or short videos of any traffic lights or traffic control devices.
Many car accidents occur at intersections, when one person is traveling straight and the other person is turning. Many of these cases depend on the timing and cycle of the light. It can be helpful to video the light cycling. If it’s a stop sign, get a picture. Getting the traffic control devices in the picture can help your attorney better argue the reasons behind the crash.
What Photographs Should Be Taken After the Crash?
Once you have been taken to the hospital and received emergency medical care, you will want to go see the vehicle wherever it is being stored. If it was towed from the scene, then it will likely be at a towing and storage lot. The sooner you or a trusted friend or family member can get to the vehicle and photograph it thoroughly, the better. This will help to preserve the evidence by documenting the severity of the damage and the location of impact.
Also, you should attempt to collect any personal possessions that may have been left in the vehicle. If you have laptops, tablets, or other items of value that are damaged, you should keep them but also photograph them in order to prove the damage.
Should I Take Photographs of My Injuries?
Don’t forget your injuries. People can suffer a lot of invisible wounds, such as whiplash and back injuries. But there are many injuries that are visible. If you have visible signs of trauma, have someone you trust take a few good pictures of the wounds. These may include:
- Lacerations
- Burns
- Amputations
- Punctures
- Bleeding or blood-soaked clothing
- Bruising
- Airbag burns
- Seat belt contusions
Should I Take Photos and Videos of My Recovery?
Lastly, in situations involving significant injuries, it can be very helpful to document the healing and recovery process. For instance, when a loved one is so badly injured that they require ongoing and long-term physical therapy in a rehabilitation center, you should consider taking brief videos of them as they work to regain strength or as they learn to walk and put weight on their legs again.
Perhaps you or a loved one broke an arm. Try to get a video of the injured person trying to eat breakfast. If someone is in pain trying to recover, don’t be afraid to get pictures and videos of the process. These painful and emotional images can be quite compelling to a jury, as they document just how much the accident impacted the injured person’s life.
Get Experienced Legal Representation Today
At Gartlan Injury Law, we want to take the pressure off of you and your family and allow you the time and peace of mind needed to heal. Throughout Dothan and surrounding parts of Alabama, we offer victims high-quality, one-on-one legal assistance with car accident claims. We know that after an accident, the most important thing for you and your family is getting well. We want to make sure you can focus on that, while we fight the big insurance companies.
For decades, Dothan auto accident lawyer Aaron Gartlan has devoted his career to protecting the rights of innocent individuals who have been injured. This is why we never charge a fee unless we are able to obtain financial compensation for you and your family, and we never charge our clients big upfront legal fees just to sit down and discuss a case. This is just how we do business.
To schedule your very own private one-on-one free consultation with an experienced Dothan accident lawyer, call the law firm of Gartlan Injury Law today.
