What Pictures Should I Take After a Motor Vehicle Accident?
Motor vehicle accidents are inevitable, which is why car insurance exists. What you do after you get into an accident will play a significant role in the success or failure of your insurance claim. You might be wondering – what should I do right after getting into an auto accident? Start by taking several pictures of the accident scene from different angles. This is so critical that many insurance companies list a camera as one of the must-have items in the emergency prepared handouts they issue to their clients. Thanks to advancements in modern technology, you always have your smartphone’s camera wherever you go.
Why Are Photographs So Vital?
Most of the time, the evidence present at a vehicle accident scene disappears quickly. This is because other motorists are using the road, and many states require the drivers involved in an accident to pull their car off the roadway as soon as possible to allow other road users to use it. Additionally, not long after the accident, tow trucks will come to haul the damaged vehicles away, and the road crews will move in to remove all debris from the road. Therefore, taking pictures of the scene as soon as the accident occurs will enable you to preserve evidence. Consequently, you can avoid the he-said, she-said battle during the accident case and let the evidence speak for itself.
What Pictures Should I Take After a Car Accident?
When taking pictures of an accident scene, it’s best that you get it right. Just randomly taking photos won’t do any good for your accident case. You should photograph:
- Damage to the vehicles
Start by taking photographs of the damage to your vehicle due to the accident. Move as close as possible to your car and capture close-up photos that offer better details of the damage. Also, capture pictures of the other vehicles involved in the accident and their incurred damage.
- Evidence scattered around the accident site
Look for skid marks on the road around the accident site and take photos of it, if any. Skid marks are an excellent indication of whether you or the other driver tried to brake before the accident. Additionally, they can also be used to approximate the speed at which the car was traveling before the accident. Take both far away and close-up photos of the skid marks.
Additionally, photograph any shattered glass, vehicle parts, and other debris. Look around the roadway for any obstructions that might have contributed to the accident and photograph them.
- The accident site
Take photos of the accident scene’s geographic location even if the vehicles were moved. Photograph any intersections, lane merges, stopping points, and any other area features. Make sure that you also capture any road signs around the accident site.
Do You Need an Auto Accident Attorney in California?
The Law Offices of Max G. Arnold, Inc, is a top-notch law firm with its head offices in Santa Rosa, California. We also have two more offices in Redding and Chico. For the last 35 years, we have represented thousands of clients on their personal injury, auto accident, dog bite, property negligence, slip and fall, wrongful death, bicycle accident, and catastrophic accident litigation with the best outcomes. Call us today.
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