Car accidents are extremely traumatic events. Unfortunately, they are also very common in Miami and throughout Florida. After a crash, you will feel upset, stressed, and perhaps even confused. You may not know the exact steps to take to protect your rights or what to do next.
One of the most important things to do after a crash is to take pictures at the accident scene. Even this simple task may not seem as easy while you are trying to sort through your emotions. Below, our Miami car accident lawyer outlines some of the best tips to remember when taking photos after a crash.
Why Take Pictures At the Scene?
Pictures really do tell a story, and they can corroborate your claims when dealing with the insurance company or the at-fault party. As a no-fault auto insurance state, you will have to file a claim with your own insurer after a crash. Just because your insurance company provides coverage, do not expect to obtain it easily. They may argue that you are not as injured as you are claiming, or that you did not suffer certain losses. Pictures can prove to your insurer that you did suffer serious injuries and deserve the full compensation you are pursuing.
If your injuries are very serious and your insurance policy limits cannot provide full compensation to cover them, you can then file a personal injury claim against the at-fault party. The liable party will use the same tactics as the insurer to deny that they are to blame and pictures can prove otherwise.
Take Multiple Photos
If you only take one or two pictures of the accident scene, they may not showcase the full story you are trying to tell. If you take numerous photos, though, you can capture every detail of the crash that may be overlooked otherwise. In particular, you should try to capture the following through photos:
- Damage to your vehicle and any other vehicle involved in the accident,
- Any injuries, bruises, swelling, or infections you sustained at the accident scene, and throughout your recovery process as they start to heal,
- The interior of vehicles, if possible,
- The make, model, and license plate number of any other vehicle involved, and
- The surroundings of the accident scene including trees, intersection markings, traffic lights, traffic signs, road hazards, and landscapes.
If your injuries are severe and prevent you from taking multiple photos, ask a witness to the crash to take them for you.
Capture Different Distances and Angles
While you are taking multiple photos, also try to get shots from different angles and distances. When taking close-up photos, stand one to five feet away from the subject area. Photos taken from a medium distance should be shot 10 to 15 feet away from the subject. A photograph taken from 20 or more feet away can capture the entire accident scene and show how the crash occurred.
Pay Particular Attention to Accident Debris or Skid Marks
Skid marks can prove a lot in your accident claim. They can show how fast a car was traveling before the crash, a driver’s braking pattern, and if a vehicle was sliding before or during an accident. All of these can show the other driver was negligent and caused the crash, which can be very helpful to your case. Photos of accident debris can also show the exact location of an accident, which is particularly helpful if law enforcement had to move the vehicles to a safer location.
Take Pictures of Important Documents
There is a lot of important information you have to collect at an accident scene. This includes the insurance information and driver’s license numbers of all other motorists involved in the crash. If you write these down, particularly at a time when you are quite shaken up, you could easily make a mistake with any of the numbers. Or, you could lose the piece of paper while you are at the hospital, police station, or elsewhere after a crash.
By taking a picture of this information, you can ensure it is accurate. Also, it will remain on your phone or in the cloud so you do not have to worry about losing it.
Our Car Accident Lawyers in Miami Can Prove Your Case
If you have been injured in a car crash, you need to prove your case so you can obtain the full compensation you deserve. At Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum Bluestein, our Miami car accident lawyers can help you preserve evidence and prove different elements of your case so your rights are fully protected. Call us now at (786) 504-7874 or fill out our online form to request a free consultation.