Taking pictures after a car accident can be crucial for your insurance claim, as they provide irrefutable evidence of the damage, injuries and surrounding conditions, helping to establish fault and support your compensation claims.
This is especially important after an incident that results in serious damage and/or injuries, which can result in legal action. Attorneys rely heavily on photographic evidence to build a compelling case. Pictures allow them to illustrate the circumstances of the accident to insurance adjusters, opposing counsel, and, if necessary, a jury. Photos of the crash scene, injuries, and vehicle damage can directly counter attempts to downplay your claims or shift fault.
Thanks to our smartphones, almost everyone has a camera with them at all times. If you are in an accident, you should put it to good use. Many insurance companies also have apps you can download so you can report the claim in real time and take pictures with the app.
Why it’s so important to take pictures after an accident:
Documentation of damage: Photos can demonstrate the extent of damage to vehicles and property, which helps your insurer assess the claim.
Evidence of injuries: Pictures of visible injuries can help substantiate your claim and demonstrate the severity of your injuries.
Establishing fault: Photos of skid marks, traffic signs, and the surrounding area can help establish how the accident occurred and who might be at fault.
Supporting your claim: Photos can provide concrete evidence that the accident occurred as you describe it, making it harder for the insurance company to deny or minimize your claim.
Protecting your rights: In the event of a dispute, photos can serve as strong evidence to support your case and protect your rights during the insurance claim process or in court.
Expediting the claim process: Having clear and comprehensive photos can help speed up the claim process and potentially lead to a faster resolution.
Documenting the scene: Photos of the overall scene, wreckage, area, and pertinent hardware should be made prior to any adjustments to the scene of the accident.
Capturing crash details — a checklist
After a collision use your phone camera to thoroughly photograph the scene. Plan to tell a story with your pictures, starting with a wide shot and gradually moving in for closer details.
Try to take pictures of:
- Your car, and the damage it sustained
- The other cars involved in the accident, and the damage they sustained
- Any skid marks
- Any vehicle parts, shattered glass or other debris that may have fallen onto the road
- The accident site (i.e., the intersection, parking lot or other location), as well as the environment/weather conditions, traffic signs, and
- Any visible bodily injuries to you, passengers and other parties (if feasible and consented to, of course).