If you’ve been involved in a car accident, you may have sustained injuries or damages to property and may wish to get compensation for them. You will need to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit to do this. Photos of the accident scene will be crucial to your case. This is where a skilled Atlanta auto accident attorney is a must. Car accidents are a leading cause of death in the United States, with over 33,000 deaths in 2019.
The success of every claim or lawsuit rests on your ability to provide proof that the defendant is responsible for what happened. For car accidents, one of the ways to get this proof is by taking photos of the accident scene. However, taking pictures to prove fault in a car accident is different from regular photography.
Therefore, we’ve written this article to provide tips for taking photos after a car accident. But, of course, in addition to taking photos, you’ll need a competent car accident lawyer to represent you.
Importance of Taking Photos After a Car Accident
Taking photos after a car accident can be valuable to your car accident claim or lawsuit. One benefit is that photos provide details that may not be accurately translated using a written testimony. While video can help, your accident may not have occurred in an area with cameras.
The hours after an accident can be chaotic, and the drivers involved will probably try to blame each other. However, with the help of well-taken photos, you can reconstruct the accident scene.
Tips on Taking Photos After an Accident
How do you ensure that the photos you take after an accident serve their purpose as evidence? This section will share some tips that you can use.
Don’t Use Filters
Many people take photos using a filter. This makes the photo look better. However, while taking pictures of an accident, you should avoid this. Using filters for your pictures could give the defendant’s lawyer ammunition to claim that the accident is embellished.
Photograph Your Surroundings
Pictures of your surroundings provide details that a reconstruction specialist can use to recreate the accident. Take photos that show things like the traffic lights and intersections. Your photos should also show skid marks. You can also make a video to get a more accurate representation.
Take Photos of Your Injuries
If you have sustained physical injuries, you should take pictures of them. If you cannot get a good shot, you can get someone else to take them.
Take Photos From Different Angles
You’ll need to take as many pictures as possible from different angles. This helps to present a more accurate depiction of the accident. For example, take photos that show the position of the cars involved in the accident and photos that accurately show the surroundings.
Include the Weather Conditions
Not all accidents are a result of a driver’s negligence. Bad weather can also contribute to accidents. Therefore, while taking pictures of the accident scene, ensure that it shows the weather condition at the time of the accident.
Use Timestamps
Timestamps lend credence to the authenticity of an image. While some phones can show details of when a photo was taken, ensure you use timestamps if your phone permits it.
Be Careful About Privacy
While we recommend taking pictures after an accident, we also recognize that privacy issues could arise. For example, you should always ask before taking pictures of a person or their injuries. This includes eyewitnesses and other people involved in the accident.
What if I Can’t Take Photos After an Accident?
Sometimes, you may be unable to take photos after an accident. This could either be because you’ve been severely injured or had your phone damaged. If this happens, you may wonder what that means for you.
One option is to have an eyewitness help you take the pictures. However, if you cannot do that, you can call a friend or family to help you with that. In addition, you could also reach out to the police if they took photos of the accident.
What To Do After a Car Accident in Atlanta?
Immediately after an accident, you must get medical attention. Although you need to get evidence for your claim, your health is still the priority. So, after you’ve been checked, you go about gathering evidence for your claim or hire a lawyer to help you.
Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Atlanta
Car accidents can be unsettling, so take pictures and make videos as soon as you can. However, do not despair if you cannot do either. Our car accident lawyers can help you get other evidence needed to get a good settlement. At The Weinstein Firm, getting you justice is our priority. So, contact us today to find out how we can help you.
