Collecting fresh evidence is essential after a car accident. Some of the most important proof that you can gather are photographs and videos of the crash scene. Visual evidence helps tell the story of the collision and demonstrate its aftermath. It’s also some of the most compelling evidence and difficult for the at-fault party to refute.
Unlike witness testimony, which can fade over time or be influenced by bias or self-interest, pictures can provide a neutral account of what happened and the injuries and property damage resulting from the crash.
Fortunately, nearly everyone carries a smartphone that can take high-quality photos and videos. If you do not need emergency medical care and it is safe, always take photos after a car crash.
Pictures Can Prove Injuries and Damages
Having pictures and video details of the crash can serve as clear proof of your losses. This can prove useful if witnesses’ memories are contradictory or if your account of the car accident significantly differs from the other driver’s.
Pictures and videos can also help explain the mechanics of the crash. In particularly complex cases, it may be necessary to bring in accident reconstruction experts to analyze the crash and testify about what happened. Your photos from the day of the car accident can be helpful as the experts evaluate the collision.
What Happens When You Do Not Take Photos?
By not taking photos after a car accident, you run the risk of allowing your subsequent claim for compensation to devolve into a “you said, they said” situation. If you testify one way as to certain details from the accident, and the other party provides a different account, your case may hinge on the respective credibility of each party.
If both you and the other driver(s) are equally credible (or not credible), an insurance company or a jury may determine that you don’t have sufficient evidence to win your legal claim.
What You Should Photograph at a Car Accident Scene
Details that you should photo or video at the scene of the car accident include:
- Vehicle damage
- Damage to any nearby property, such as benches, signs or poles, guardrails, etc.
- The positions of the vehicles, if they were not moved after the collision
- Any skid marks on the road surface
- Any debris from the vehicles involved
- Road lines and traffic controls at the scene
- Road and traffic conditions at the time of the accident
- Weather and lighting conditions at the time of the crash
- Any visual obstructions for you or other drivers involved in the
- Collision
- Any visible injuries you may have suffered
- Physical evidence, such as open containers of alcohol in the other car, bloody clothing, etc.
Contact Our Car Accident Lawyers in Brockton, MA Today
If you were injured in an auto accident in Massachusetts, contact The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our skilled Brockton car accident lawyers can help you pursue the justice and compensation you deserve. Call or contact us today.