Car accidents are one of the most unfortunate unforeseen circumstances one can possibly experience. It can be very traumatic as well as financially draining for the parties involved. Determining liability in such cases can be a difficult task without the proper evidence, and this is where the role of car accident photos comes in.
When you take a car accident case to court, it’s not enough to have a witness, considering human memories may sometimes be inaccurate. Photographs, on the other hand, serve as tangible proof and are able to capture the moment precisely without any form of bias as well as help determine liability.
Documentation of the Accident Scene
Importance of Documenting the Accident Scene Immediately
Determining the liable party in a car accident case is not an easy task – at least not without the right evidence. This is why documenting the accident scene immediately is important to ensure that no important details are missed and that the at-fault party is held liable for the accident.
Photographs capture the physical damage and position of the vehicles. In legal proceedings, this type of evidence can greatly aid your case. Documenting the aftermath of the accident is crucial because photographic evidence is able to provide a visual representation of the different factors that may have contributed to the occurrence of the accident.
Some of the important factors that may be captured in photographic evidence include but are not limited to the following:
Road conditions
While the majority of car accident cases are due to the negligence of the driver, sometimes car accidents happen not because someone was out of way or under the influence, but because of the poor road conditions.
In situations like this, having photographic evidence proving that the accident was caused by the road quality and could have been avoided can help you strengthen your claim when you pursue compensation from your insurance provider as well as the responsible party – which in most cases are a construction company, corporate business or a government entity.
Weather conditions
Similar to roads, weather conditions can be a significant factor contributing to a car accident. Unfavorable weather conditions can affect road conditions and decrease visibility.
Heavy rain, snow and fog can make it difficult for drivers to notice other existing hazards as well as the other vehicles on the pathways and pedestrians walking nearby.
Traffic signs and signals
Traffic laws are enforced on the road through various signs and signals. Taking photos of the traffic signs and signals surrounding the location of the accident can help determine who was acting negligently.
Positioning of vehicles
Taking photographs of the exact position of the vehicles after the accident is important as it can help determine who was not following the traffic laws resulting in the accident.
Moreover, it could provide a visual representation of how severe the impact of the accident was, as well as the damages sustained because of the crash.
Establishing Fault and Liability
In some cases, determining the party at fault is an easy task. However, there are instances when liability determination becomes complicated due to several factors contributing to the accident.
After being involved in a car crash, most people tend to make the big mistake of forgetting to take photographs of the scene of the accident.
While it is understandable for victims of the accident to be in shock and traumatized, it is important to keep in mind that taking photographs of a car accident is crucial in establishing fault and liability.
Photographs depicting the aftermath of the car accident can help corroborate the plaintiff’s narrative of the accident, thereby strengthening their claim. Moreover, photographic evidence can help reconstruct and demonstrate the sequence of events leading to the accident.
Tip
By providing a visual context of the car accident scene, experts will be able to deduce the patterns of damage, vehicles’ speeds and many others to understand how the accident happened and who is responsible for it.
Assessing Damage and Injuries
Whether it was a minor or major collision, drivers and passengers, as well as the vehicles involved, are expected to acquire damage and injuries following a car accident.
Documenting vehicle damage, property loss, and the injuries you have sustained is crucial in helping the insurance companies or, in some cases, the jury determines the compensation you will receive.
Supporting Insurance Claims
Another reason why car accident photos are so important is because they help strengthen insurance claims. Insurance companies, no matter how much they claim to serve as your financial safety net, are still businesses, and businesses greatly value profit.
As a policyholder, when you get involved in a car accident, one of the first things that comes to your mind is to call your insurance company in hopes of receiving financial assistance for your financial needs.
Unfortunately, some insurance companies act in bad faith and try to undervalue your claim or worse, deny your claim, leaving you in an even more difficult situation. In situations like this, having photographic evidence of the car accident will help you strengthen your insurance claim and force your insurance company to provide you compensation to cover the damages and other financial losses.
Strengthening Legal Representation
In legal proceedings, any form of evidence containing relevant information regarding the case is important in helping to establish the facts of a certain incident. With the right documents and evidence, your legal representation will be able to build a strong case to present to court.
One of the most reliable pieces of evidence one can use when dealing with insurance companies or presenting in court is photographic evidence. Photographs of the accident are a strong form of evidence. So strong that it could help affect the amount of compensation or settlement you receive as you file your insurance claim.
Most insurance companies aim to lessen the amount they pay or avoid paying at all. By having clear and tangible photographic evidence, your lawyer will be able to negotiate for a better settlement and fight for your rights as a policyholder on your behalf, ensuring that your insurance company provides you with the coverage indicated in your insurance policy.
Admissibility in Legal Proceedings
When you make the choice to pursue litigation for a car accident case, it is important to keep in mind that having a witness and a lawyer to legally represent you in court is not going to be enough to ensure that you receive justice if you lack other evidence to support your claim.
Providing concrete evidence is important in litigation. When a car accident leads to a dispute or legal proceeding, photos of the accident become an essential document for a variety of reasons. However, it is important to keep in mind that not all photographic evidence may be admissible in legal proceedings.
For example, the photos you have provided are irrelevant to the claim and may not be used to help establish the facts of the case. In this case, the photos will not be admissible to court because they serve no importance to the case. Also, photos that have been edited may be dismissed, as well as photos that may have violated someone’s privacy.
That being said, it is important that legal professionals ensure that the photographic evidence being presented to court is thoroughly collected and properly maintained to preserve its integrity in the legal process.
Tips for Taking Effective Car Accident Photos
Car accident photos are one of the essential documents you can provide to help build a strong case and strengthen your claim when you pursue compensation for the injuries and damages you have sustained as a result of the accident.
It serves as a valuable tool in determining fault and liability, which is why it is important to ensure that you are taking proper documentation of the accident. If you are unsure what type of photos may be beneficial for your case, we have provided a list of the things you should document after a car accident. These include, but are not limited to the following:
- The accident scene
- Damaged property
- Vehicle position
- Skid marks
- Location and surrounding
Also, in taking car accident photos, it is important to remember the following:
- Take multiple photos of the accident in different angles to give a fuller picture of the accident scene
- Use a camera with high resolution to ensure no details are missed
- Include landmarks and traffic signs in the photo to serve as a reference point
Note
Keep in mind that the photographic evidence of the car accident will not only help determine the at-fault party but also the compensation you may receive to cover the pain and suffering, as well as the damages you have sustained.
It’s important to consult with an experienced car accident attorney who can help you understand the relevance of your evidence and match it with strong legal arguments.
Contact Text Kevin Accident Attorneys After A Car Accident
Resolving a car accident case can either be an easy or difficult task, depending on the parties involved and the different factors contributing to the collision. Taking photos of the car accident scene can help minimize the length of investigation and determine fault and liability, as well as the compensation necessary to help the victims recover from the damages and other financial losses caused by the accident.
As a policyholder, you have certain rights to uphold. Having photographic evidence following a car accident can help you in protecting those rights. By utilizing this valuable proof to your advantage, you will be able to strengthen your insurance claim and build a strong case to present to the court if the situation calls for it.
Text Kevin Accident Attorneys is a personal injury law firm that does business as Crockett Law Group. At our core, we are committed to ensuring that injury victims have an easy claims experience. We can help you use your car accident photographs to build your case and pursue justice.
Help is available 24/7. Call or text us now at (888) 965-3827 or send us a message through our secure and confidential online form.
