If you are hurt in an auto accident because of a drunk, or reckless motorist, you can seek compensation for the damages. However, to build your accident claim, you need a few things and you need to be mindful of some things, before you leave the scene.
One important evidence is the photographs of the wreckage. These photos can help accident reconstruction experts quickly determine what may have happened in the time leading up to the crash. Detailed photos also show clear evidence of the property damage and bodily injuries immediately following the crash.
To make sure the photos you take will strengthen your claim, follow these tips –
Capture the wreckage
Photograph every vehicle that was involved in the crash. Take pictures from all angles to record the damage. Ensure that any interior damage, deployed airbags, and bloodstains, if any, have been photographed. If anything in the surrounding was impacted in the accident, like curbs, poles, or stop signs, record that damage too.
Take pictures of your injuries
Take pictures of all the visible injuries, like bruises and lacerations, you and your passengers sustained. These images can support your medical records, making it harder for the defense lawyer to challenge the cause or extent of your injuries.
Record the complete scene
Once the police have arrived and started moving traffic away, it should be safe for you to move around and take wide-angle shots of the entire area. These pictures will help investigators understand where each party was at the time of the accident and piece together what happened.
Take close-up shots
Smaller details are often overlooked in all the chaos of a crash. However, even little things, like skid marks or gaspuddles could be vital to prove fault. Once you have taken wide shots of the scene, walk around the scene and capture all the minor details from up close. If you feel the photo doesn’t show the size of something clearly, include an object like your driver’s license for reference in the photo.
Capture the flow of traffic
Take photos of all traffic indicators at and near the scene. These include lights, signs, and painted lines. These can help to prove fault, if the other motorist was in violation of the law at the time of the wreck.
Capture the weather
If the pavement was slick or the sun was blinding, it should reflect in your photos. If the other party tries to blame the accident on the weather, these pictures will make it easy to disprove such a claim.Ensure that all the images are timestamped.
Record the other parties involved
Photos and videos of the other motorists involved could prove helpful, if you need to prove that impairment or drowsiness caused the accident. With a video, you may even be able to record an admission.
Preserve these photos and videos
Make copies of all the photos and videos you take and keep them safely. You can carry them with you to the meeting with the auto accident lawyer. The legal team will make their own copies and send the files to the right parties, like accident reconstruction experts.
Ask for Help
If you were unable to photograph the scene of the accident, it could hurt your chances of receiving a fair amount. So, no matter how hectic it is, don’t forget to take photographs of the accident, once you are safe. If you require emergency medical care or you’re too stressed, call a friend or loved one to shoot the area for you.
If you wish to consult an experienced personal injury or auto accident lawyer in Beverly Hills or Sherman Oaks, CA, schedule a consultation with the law office of Eduard Braun in California, at 877-533-4LAW.
