A picture is worth a thousand words. While taking pictures is not something a person may want to do right after experiencing a horrific car accident, photos can be valuable pieces of evidence.
Taking photographs of the accident scene immediately when it happens can help you preserve evidence. Analyzing photographs is an integral part of the investigation process. Your tucson auto accident attorney can review these photos and find valuable information that you may have overlooked. So, make sure to “read this” paragraph carefully to understand the importance of capturing and documenting the accident scene.
Tips for taking photographs after a car accident
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Any camera works.
Remember that you are simply trying to preserve evidence and valuable information for your personal injury case and not trying to win a photography contest. You do not need to carry a professional camera to click photos. Your smartphone or even a disposable camera will do.
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Take as many pictures as you can.
No number of photos are enough photos. Therefore, click as many as you can. Photos help reveal information that is often forgotten, overlooked, or unnoticed during the accident because of the stress and chaos.
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Capture the entire scene.
Step far from the accident scene and capture it. Make sure the entire accident comes in the camera frame. Stand at different sides and angles and click pictures until you have not covered the entire perimeter.
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Pay attention to the details.
You never know which photograph may come in handy for proving your claim. This is why it is essential to capture each and every object. Try taking pictures of the following.
- Your car and its damages
- Other involved cars and their damages
- Skid marks, if any
- Vehicle parts, broken or shattered glass, or other debris that may have fallen on the road
- The accident location, such as the intersection or the parking lot
- Stop signs and traffic signals, if any
- The surrounding environment and weather conditions
- Your and your passengers’ physical injuries
- Injuries of the other party (if they give consent)
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Capture different perspectives.
When taking photos, do not just stand in one place. Try taking them from several vantage points and angles.
- Take close-ups to capture the severity of the damage
- Take wide-angled photographs to capture the accident’s surroundings and other elements
- Take panoramic photos to capture a 360-degree version of the accident
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Capture vehicle interior.
One thing people often forget is taking pictures of the inside of their vehicle. Important elements inside the vehicle may include deployed airbags, loose car parts or debris, shattered glass, and bloodstains. Remember to capture any valuable personal item that got damaged.
While an attorney can help you seek justice by getting you the compensation you deserve, you can also do your part in speeding up the process. For more information about photograph and video evidence in a car accident case, speak to an attorney today.