Post-Crash: 5 Tips for Photographing an Accident Scene

Following an accident, you might have hundreds of different thoughts running through your head, and that is why it is so important to stay as organized as possible. The steps that you take immediately following your collision could have a major impact on your negotiations with the insurance company as well as your final compensation. Properly photographing the scene will speed up this process so that you can move on with your life.

Post-Crash: 5 Tips for Photographing an Accident Scene
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Use a Decent Camera

Many drivers used to keep disposable cameras in their vehicles to photograph accidents, but those devices often produce fuzzy pictures. Luckily, most modern smartphones have high-def cameras that take excellent pictures and videos. If the accident was particularly bad and you feel like it might go to trial, then you should try to capture some footage and explain exactly what happened while it is still fresh in your mind.

Take as Many Pictures as Possible

Digital cameras can generally store thousands of photos at a time, and you should continue taking pictures until you feel like you have enough evidence to accurately depict the accident. Even if most of the pictures are unnecessary, at least a few of the photographs should be usable. You can also ask for the contact information of any bystanders that took pictures.

Start with Wide Shots

Before photographing the vehicles themselves, you might want to set the scene. Taking a few wide shots of the road from multiple angles will give your attorney and the claims adjusters more information to work with. You are also going to need a few pictures of nearby traffic signs, cones, potholes, and obstructions.

Photograph the Damage from Multiple Angles

Once you have photographs of the scene, you can then start taking pictures of the damage. Every dent, skid mark, and scratch should be photographed from multiple angles and varying distances. That includes any damage to nearby structures or city property. If any of your personal belongings inside of the vehicle were damaged, then you should take a few photos of those as well.

Take Pictures of All Parties Involved

The final step in this process is to take pictures of everyone involved in the accident including passengers, other drivers, bystanders, and officers. Those images will help you connect names to faces later on. Even though it might be unpleasant to do so, you also need to collect photos of all lacerations, bruises, blood, and broken bones.

Without evidence, determining who was at-fault is going to be very difficult, and you might not be compensated for months. Taking pictures of the scene will help your attorney build a compelling case so that you can move past this situation as quickly as possible.

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