Once you have assured you are safe after a car accident, the next most important step is to take photos. Many people assume that a photo or two will do, but the truth is that photos can be more helpful than you realize. Keep reading to learn how and why, then contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 if you require a free legal consultation after a car accident.
- Photos Can Show the Extent of Your Vehicle’s Damage
- Photos Can Show Who the Extent of Your Injuries
- Photos Can Prove How the Accident Occurred
- Photos Can Help Identify Witnesses
One of the factors involved in how much your personal injury settlement will be is the amount of damage done to your car. It is unfortunately possible for the other party to claim that your vehicle was not as damaged at the scene as your mechanic says it was. For example, if someone wanted a new fender, they could potentially get into an accident that does not involve their fender, only to later purposely damage it to get it covered.
If you take photos at the scene that clearly show the damage to your vehicle, the other side will have a hard time trying to accuse you of this type of fraud.
The same is true for your injuries – if you take photos at the scene of the accident that clearly show any visible injuries you have, then the insurance company cannot try to claim that they were pre-existing or that they occurred after the accident. This is also why you should get medical care right away. Not only can the doctor note any visible injuries, but they can note invisible injuries like whiplash.
There are many things you can pick up on photos that help prove how the accident occurred. For example, skid marks, road conditions, debris in the road, or weather conditions can all be part of an accident – and they can be shown on photos. The position of the vehicles after the accident can also be important and particularly useful if you end up needing an accident reconstruction expert to prove your case.
If you are not seriously injured, then it is wise to get as much information as you can from the scene – including witness names and contact information. However, if you are injured, this might not be your priority. In that case, photos can be useful. They might show the license plate of a car, which your attorney can use to find them and get their statement. They might show people’s faces that allow others at the scene to identify them.
Can you win a personal injury case without zero photos? Yes – but it is often much easier if you do have photos. Either way, contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 now for a free legal consultation.
