To recover compensation in a personal injury claim, you must show that the other party was negligent and establish the nature and extent of your damages. Photos may provide the best evidence to support your claim. With eyewitness testimony, you are relying on someone else’s recollection of what occurred in the past, which may or may not be accurate.
The other side may raise doubts and disputes about liability. Pictures can help substantiate your claim that the other party was negligent. For example:
- After a car crash, the other driver may claim that you were at fault for the accident, when this is false. Pictures of the accident scene that show the position of the vehicles involved, damage to the vehicles, and skid marks on the road leading to the crash can provide unmistakable evidence of how it occurred. In addition, photos of visible injuries you sustained can help support your claim for damages.
- If you slipped on ice and fractured your hip on someone else’s property, you will need evidence of the hazardous condition existing on the premises that caused your accident and injuries. Photos of the accident scene, taken by you or someone else, can provide the evidence you need for your claim.
Taking Pictures After a Car Accident
If you have been involved in a motor vehicle collision, it is important to gather as much evidence as possible at the scene of the accident. Photos may be the most valuable evidence you collect. The first priority is to check on all vehicle occupants involved in the crash and get emergency medical attention for anyone who needs it, including yourself. If you are unable to take pictures because of your injuries, ask someone else to do it for you. This could make a significant difference in the amount of compensation you are able to recover.
- Take as many pictures as you need to capture the damage done to all vehicles involved, as well as any injuries you sustained in the crash. (Do not take pictures of other injured parties.)
- Get detailed closeups of the vehicle damage, including scratches, broken windows, and any damage to the interior of the vehicle.
- Take pictures of the accident scene from different distances, near and far, and from a variety of angles.
- Get photos of skid marks, debris, or any other signs of a crash on the road.
- Make sure you get an overall view of the scene, the relative positions and angles of the cars involved and their proximity to other vehicles, and any nearby traffic lights, stop signs, or traffic signs.
- Photograph any damage to stationary objects, such as guardrails, trees, and signs.
- Take photos that show the weather conditions at the time of the crash and any road conditions that may have contributed to the accident, such as barely visible traffic signs or malfunctioning traffic signals.
- To ensure you have the necessary information, take pictures of the license plates of all vehicles involved and the insurance cards of the other drivers.
- To avoid confusion in the future, it is also advised that you take photos of any other drivers and passengers involved in the crash, any witnesses to the accident, and the responding police officers. (Do not post these pictures on social media.)
It is important to speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible after a serious accident. Call The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. at (719) 475-2555. Our founding attorney was admitted to the bar in 1991. We have decades of experience and the knowledge, skills, and resources to effectively pursue the compensation you deserve.