If you were injured in a car accident and would like to pursue legal action, you will want to make sure you take as many photos as possible. Give our skilled Essex County auto accident attorney a call today to learn more.
What should I take photos of after a car accident?
Scene of the Accident
Take photos of the road and weather conditions, traffic signals and signs, and overall roadway layout. Look for tire skid marks, broken glass, or other things left on the pavement. Sometimes visibility is an important factor in a car accident, so look for large objects that may have blocked the driver’s view of the road. If there’s a possible conflict regarding the color of the traffic light (i.e. red light versus green light), take a video that depicts the timing of the lights at the intersection for all paths of travel.
All Cars Involved
Note that pictures should be taken of all of the cars that were involved in the accident, even if there is no damage to one of them. The photos will be helpful in determining the cars involved (license plate, make, model, color). Property damage to the cars should also be photographed. If you can do so safely, take photos before the cars are moved. Take as many pictures as you are able to and make sure you also get shots close-up and from a distance. This is important to choose the location of impact, the force of collision speed of travel, and direction of movement. Take pictures of the front windshield of the other drivers’ cars. Sometimes something is suspended from the rearview mirror that blocks their view of the street.
Physical Injuries
Your injuries will slowly heal over time, so you should take pictures right after an accident. Photos of your injuries will help others decide your physical state after the car accident. Sometimes your medical practitioner will prescribe the use of devices such as an arm sling, cervical collar, walker, etc. Take photos of these devices and, if you can, keep these devices in a safe place even after they become unnecessary for your medical treatment. These devices may be used as evidence in your case.
Other Important Tips
You will want to set your digital camera or cellphone so that the date (and, if possible, time) appears in the photo. This will help decide the issue of having to remember when the picture was taken if asked later on. Furthermore, back up your digital photographs by saving them onto a second hard drive, copying them onto a thumb drive, burning a copy onto a CD or DVD, and/or printing out the photographs. The last thing you want occurring is losing these photographs because of faulty electronics.
Contact our Experienced New Jersey Firm
If you have been injured due to the negligence of another party, contact the Law Office of Christopher T. Howell, Esq. for a free consultation today.