How Accident Scene Photos Can Increase the Value of a Car Crash Claim

The moments after a car crash may pass in the blink of an eye. Before you know it, you’re back home, telling your family what happened to you and what your next steps are. However, it is crucial that you use this time to your advantage. This is your only time to survey the crash scene and get all of the evidence and information you need. By keeping your cool and spending a few minutes getting photographic evidence, you can prepare for a personal injury claim.

Looking for the right attorney for your car accident claim? The team at Turner, Onderdonk, Kimbrough & Howell are waiting to talk to you. Call our Chatom office at 251-336-3411 or our Bay Minette office at 251-336-3697 to set up a consultation right away.

The Role of Visual Evidence in a Claim

Visual evidence can support your claim in many different ways. You may be able to give a detailed report of what happened in the crash and how it affected you, but the saying “a picture is worth 1,000 words” is true in this case. What you say about the accident may be clouded by your personal experience and point of view. On the other hand, photos and videos are objective. The information in them paints a stark picture of what occurred and how everyone involved was affected.

Photographic evidence can also provide clarity after a collision. It may give context that you otherwise wouldn’t think to give. For example, a photo might show that the traffic lights were out of commission when the crash occurred, indicating that neither driver may be to blame. Photos can capture the weather, road conditions, road signage, and obstacles you may not have noticed at the time.

One of the key benefits of gathering visual evidence is that it freezes the crash scene in time. You do not ever get to go back to the crash scene as it was—the police clean it up as quickly as possible to help the flow of traffic and prevent secondary crashes. The evidence you gather after a collision can preserve the scene for posterity.

The evidence you gather can also enhance your credibility. If the photos and videos you take back up what you experienced during the crash, that shows the insurance companies that your words carry some weight. They can also corroborate statements provided by eyewitnesses.

Photos and Videos to Take After a Car Crash

In general, you want to take as many photos and videos as you can. Take them from different distances and angles to capture different details. Some of the things you may want to document include:

• Vehicle damage, including dents, scrapes, a deployed airbag, broken components, and other visible damage

• The scene as a whole; this provides important context

• Skid marks and debris on the road, as these may provide information about both vehicles’ speed and any evasive action taken by both drives

• The weather conditions

• Traffic conditions

• Injuries suffered by you and your passengers

• Road signs and signals

• Both vehicles’ license plates and VINs

• Any eyewitnesses, as long as you have their consent—your photos can prove that they actually witnessed the crash

How Your Attorney May Use Your Photos and Videos

Your attorney can utilize your evidence in a variety of ways. First, they’ll use it during their investigation. Your videos and photos can provide insight that allows your attorney to build the strongest case possible. From there, they may use it to establish liability and determine whom they should pursue for compensation.

Your evidence can really help you when it’s time to seek compensation. It’s likely that your attorney will use your evidence during negotiations with the insurance company. They may show where the other driver went wrong, the extent of your injuries, and the damage caused to your vehicle. Should negotiations be unsuccessful, you can expect your photos and videos to be used in court.

Choose Turner, Onderdonk, Kimbrough & Howell for Your Injury Claim

The sooner you start working with the team at Turner, Onderdonk, Kimbrough & Howell, the sooner we can start building your case. You can set up your consultation now by calling our Chatom office at 251-336-3411, calling our Bay Minette office at 251-336-3697, or sending us a message online.