Taking Pictures After a Car Accident

The trauma and shock that set in after a car accident can make it difficult even to function, let alone take the initiative to do anything related to what just happened. But most accidents result in complicated dealings with insurance companies and sometimes even the legal system — which means you have to look out for your own interests, no matter how difficult that may seem in the aftermath of a crash.

One thing you can do that will pay dividends down the road is to take pictures after the accident. This is often neglected in the high emotion of the moment, but taking pictures can affect your insurance claim. Follow this step-by-step guide to get it done efficiently.

Remember, Safety First

First, after a car accident, make sure you are physically okay and haven’t sustained any injuries that necessitate a visit to the hospital. If you feel shaken but otherwise fine, pull your car over to a safe area where you will not interfere with traffic.

Tips for Taking Pictures

Once you are safe, take out your smartphone and get ready to shoot. Keep these things in mind to capture the photos that will best assist you with the insurance company and in any legal matters stemming from the crash:

• Snap photos of every car involved in the accident: Don’t just take pictures of your own car. You want physical evidence of damage to the other vehicles to back up your claim of how the events unfolded.
• Take close-ups wherever you can: The better the view of the damage, the clearer the circumstances surrounding the incident become.
• Take photos of the accident scene: Things like the weather and road conditions at the time of the crash can play a big role in how events unfolded. If you see a pothole at the scene, for example, snap a photo. If you were involved in a hit-and-run accident, take photos of where the other car was headed in order to provide the authorities with as much information as possible.
• Take photos before and after the vehicles are removed: If the other drivers are, like you, safe and do not require any immediate medical assistance, capture photos of the scene exactly as it was after the accident.
• Take photos of other drivers’ information: Ask them to take out their insurance cards and driver’s license so you can take a photo. You don’t want to chance writing this information down incorrectly and not being able to contact the right parties.
• Take photos of the police report: You may need to provide it to your insurance carrier.

Stay Calm and Contact an Attorney to Discuss Your Car Accident

We cannot overemphasize the importance of taking photos after an accident to assist you with any legal issues that may arise. Undoubtedly, you will feel scared and uncertain when an accident occurs, but engaging in this one act can help calm and focus you, in addition to giving you needed information about the crash.

If you’ve been in an accident and you need help navigating a lawsuit or dealing with your insurance carrier, contact a New Orleans car accident attorney. At Irpino, Avin & Hawkins Law Firm, we assist you through the entire post-accident process.