Being involved in a car accident is disorienting. With the shock of what happened to you, it’s hard to think clearly about your next steps. While you might remember to exchange insurance information and call the police, it’s not uncommon to forget to thoroughly document the scene – a mistake that could impact your ability to recover damages later.
Your phone is your most powerful tool for preserving evidence after an auto accident. But you may not know what evidence you need to collect. What photos do you take of the accident scene?
In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly what photos and documentation you need, how to capture them effectively, and why each piece of evidence matters to your case. Remember, no detail is too small when protecting your rights and securing fair compensation for your injuries and damages. It’s probably better to take too many photos than not enough!
Need help after a car accident? Our experienced Mississippi car accident attorney at Giddens Law Firm can review your evidence and help you understand your options. Call us today for a free consultation.
Critical Safety Steps Before Taking Photos of Your Car Crash
Before you start documenting the scene, there are a few things you will need to do first. Your priority right after the car crash is your safety. Make sure you and everyone in your vehicle are okay. Were there injuries? If so, how bad are they?
Call 911 immediately after an accident, even if your injuries seem minor. A police report serves as an official record of the incident, and your insurance company will use this document to determine fault. Some injuries may not be apparent immediately, and having documentation from responding officers helps establish the facts while they’re fresh.
Finally, collect contact information from everyone at the scene. This includes the names, phone numbers, and addresses of the drivers, passengers, and witnesses. Witnesses tend to leave the scene quickly, so try to get their information early.
Remember, what you do at the accident scene can impact your insurance claim. Contact Giddens Law Firm for immediate guidance after a motor vehicle accident.
Must-Capture Photos at the Accident Scene
As you wait for emergency services to arrive, now is the time to take accident scene photos. You want to capture the entire scene. Think of it as telling a story about the accident — you want first to start wide then work your way in.
Begin with the surroundings such as the intersection, street, or highway where the accident occurred. Include the positions of the vehicles involved. Take these shots from multiple angles to provide a context of how the accident happened.
Next, capture the distance between the vehicles and any nearby signs, traffic signals, or landmarks. Include shots of the road, paying attention to any skid marks, debris patterns, or gouges in the pavement. These details can help reconstruct how the accident occurred and which driver may have been at fault.
Document any property damage beyond the vehicles – things like damaged guardrails, signs, or landscaping. Don’t forget to photograph any vehicle parts that may be scattered across the scene. These details might seem minor at the time, but they can become evidence when establishing the sequence of events.
As you’re taking pictures, keep aware of your surroundings and don’t put yourself in danger to get a shot. If possible, include reference points in your photos to help establish scale – a road sign or marker can help show distances and positioning more clearly.
Do you need help making sense of your accident photos? Our experienced legal team can review your documentation and help build a strong case. Contact Giddens Law Firm for a free case evaluation.
Photographic Evidence of Injuries Sustained in the Car Crash
Not only do you want to take photos of the accident scene, but you want to take detailed photos of your physical injuries. Start documenting injuries as soon as it’s safe to do so. Photograph any visible injuries, even minor bruises, cuts, and scrapes. Make sure the images clearly show the location and extent of each injury. If airbags were deployed, photograph them too, as this helps establish the severity of impact.
Don’t stop taking photos of your injuries at the crash scene. Keep a record of how your injuries progress during healing, including any bruising that appears in the days following the accident. While medical records will detail your treatment, photos provide compelling visual evidence of your experience and recovery journey.
Concerned about documenting your injuries properly? Let our team at Giddens Law Firm help ensure your medical evidence is thoroughly recorded. Contact us for a free consultation.
Environmental Factors That Led to the Car Accident
Environmental conditions can be just as important as the collision itself. Document any construction zones, temporary signs, or road work that might have contributed to the accident. Pay attention to the visibility and condition of traffic signs and signals—if they’re obscured by trees or malfunctioning, this could be vital to your car accident claim.
Capture the lighting conditions, especially if your accident occurred at dawn, dusk, or night. Show whether street lights were present and functioning. If weather played a role, photograph conditions like wet roads, fog, or snow. Don’t forget to document any road hazards like potholes, uneven pavement, or debris.
Take multiple photos of the road surface itself. Show any changes in the pavement, unusual markings, or areas where water might collect. These details can support your account of how the accident occurred and identify potential contributing factors beyond driver behavior.
Detailed Vehicle Damage Documentation
Vehicle damage tells its own story about how an auto accident occurred. Start with wide shots of each damaged vehicle from all four sides, then move closer to capture specific damage points. Pay special attention to areas of impact, documenting these from multiple angles to show the depth and severity of the damage.
Look for and photograph paint transfers between vehicles – these marking patterns can help establish how the vehicles collided. Document any interior damage as well, including deployed airbags, broken glass, and damaged dashboards. These details help demonstrate the force of impact and potential causes of injuries.
Don’t forget to photograph all vehicles’ license plates and VIN numbers clearly. These unique identifiers help prevent confusion about which vehicles were involved and can be cross-referenced with insurance and registration information.
Evidence That Strengthens Your Car Accident Case
Building a strong case requires attention to details beyond the immediate accident scene. Look around for security cameras on nearby businesses or traffic cameras at intersections – photograph their locations for later reference. These could provide valuable additional perspectives on the accident.
Photograph insurance cards, driver’s licenses, and registration documents – ensure these images are clear and readable. Note the name and badge number of responding police officers, and get a copy of the incident report number.
What Can I Do If I Can’t Take Photos?
Maybe your cell phone was destroyed in the car accident. Or you left it at home before driving to the store. Or you may be too injured to leave the car, let alone collect evidence. There may be a situation where you aren’t able to take photos of the accident scene. What then?
Don’t panic. There are other ways to preserve important evidence about your accident. First, focus on getting verbal information. Ask witnesses to take photos and send them to you later. Be sure to get their contact details and permission to use their photos. When the police respond to the scene, they’ll take their own photos and document key evidence in their report – make note of the report number and how to request copies.
If you are going to the hospital, ask a friend or family member to go to the scene as soon as possible. While some evidence may be gone, they can still photograph the general area, road conditions, and any remaining signs of the accident. Even photos taken hours later can provide valuable context for your case.
If you were involved in a car accident anywhere in Mississippi, our car accident lawyers are here to help. Contact the Giddens Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation. There is no fee until we win your case.