Car accidents happen all the time, and everybody should have a basic idea of how to respond when they do – including how to respond at the scene.
Assuming that you’re able to take the photos yourself or you can hand your camera to someone to take the photos for you, here’s what you should capture:
Get every possible angle of all the vehicles
Take close-up photos of the damage to both vehicles, especially what you believe are points of impact between the two cars. Then, step back and take wide shots that show each vehicle’s overall condition and relative positions (if they haven’t been moved since the accident).
If you can, try to get photos from all four sides of the wreck so that you capture as much detail as possible. Look for other signs of damage, such as leaking fluids and busted tires, and make sure to snap pictures of those, as well.
Get photos of the inside of your vehicle
You want to get as many pictures as possible of broken windows, bent steering wheels, damaged seats, dented dashboards and deployed airbags. Even if you think something isn’t important, it could be relevant later.
Get even more pictures of the surrounding area
Skid marks, broken glass in the road from tail lights, debris from the wreck in the street and other details can all help with accident investigations and provide telling information that can resolve disputes over who was actually responsible for the wreck.
In addition, it may help to take photos of traffic lights, road signs and the weather conditions. Those can also provide important clues about the circumstances of a crash and support your claims.
Get lots of injury photos
You may have injuries that are immediately visible or bruises that blossom over time. Take photos immediately after the wreck of your injuries and continue to document the progression of your wounds until they finally heal. That can lend credence to your claim for pain and suffering in vivid detail.
Save the photos to a secure location and make backup copies and prints so they aren’t accidentally deleted. Having these photos handy can help expedite your claims process when the time comes – or provide clear evidence to support your case in court.
