In the aftermath of an injury accident, you may have a range of emotions and thoughts. You may be frustrated that, through no fault of your own, you were hurt and now need to take time off to recover from your injuries. You may be angry at the person or entity that you believe caused the accident. No one expects to get into an accident but if you do, feeling prepared about what to do and how to handle the situation can be empowering. A critical step to take after an accident is to document what’s happened with pictures. 

Good evidence, including photographs, can make a significant difference in the outcome of your personal injury claim. If you or a loved one is seriously injured in a vehicle accident, slip and fall incident or any other type of accident, the most important action is to seek immediate medical care. Whether or not you were injured, it's always a good idea to gather evidence in the immediate aftermath and even the days following. 

Tips on What to Photograph for Your Personal Injury Claim

There are some key elements of a car accident scene and your claim to try to document as soon as possible:

Property Damage

Capture images of all property damage – both to your property and other property that may have been damaged in the accident. Property includes clothing, gear, handbags, phones, any tangible objects that you own. These images can provide valuable clues and information for your personal injury lawyer and help to bolster your case.

If you’ve been involved in a car accident, photograph all damage to your vehicle, including exterior damage and interior damage like inflated airbags. Try to take photos from multiple angles and close-up shots. Do the same with any other vehicles involved in the crash.

Hazards and Signs

If you suffered an injury at a business, in a parking lot or on public property, try to take photographs of any hazards that may have led to the accident, such as wet floors, jagged concrete or dimly lit hallways. Take photographs of the scene to also show any signs that may – or may not have been – present to alert you of any potential hazard.

In a car accident, you can build evidence that may show how traffic lights and road signs may have been ignored by documenting nearby road signs and traffic signals, Or, the signs may be obstructed, damaged or malfunctioning which could show that the municipality may not be maintaining a safe roadway. 

Debris and Skid Marks

Take photographs of any debris that may be at the scene of the accident. This could be roadway debris or it could be debris or hazards that may have contributed to the accident. If there are skid marks from any vehicle, make sure to capture images of the road. Skid marks occur when a car suddenly stops and may indicate a driver was speeding or driving too fast for traffic conditions. 

Weather

Weather and outside conditions can play a large role in accidents, especially those involving cars, bicycles, pedestrians or motorcycles. Wet surfaces, ice, snow, or wind-blown debris in the road or on a sidewalk can be an additional factor in the circumstances of the accident and determining fault. Try to capture images showing the weather at the time of the accident and the time of day. If there are hazardous conditions because of the weather, like standing water, debris or icy patches, take photos of those conditions. 

Your Injuries

If you’ve been injured in an accident and can safely do so, try to take photos of your injuries as soon as possible. If that’s not possible, do not worry, your medical records will also serve as evidence. However, try to take pictures of your injuries as soon as you. It’s also important to document your injuries as you recover and rehabilitate through images. 

Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, Can Help

If you’ve been injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, don’t go it alone. An experienced personal injury lawyer can advocate for your best interest and pursue fair compensation for your damages. At Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, you can count on us to work tirelessly for your quality of life. With our track record of success and compassionate client care, we’ve helped people just like you move forward after sustaining an injury that was caused by another’s negligence. Contact us now for a free consultation.