Without sufficient evidence to prove what actually happened in your car accident, your case can quickly turn in the other driver’s favor.
You never know what to expect in a car accident claim. Even though you think the situation is rather cut and dry, without sufficient evidence to prove your side of the story, these cases can quickly take a 180-degree turn in the other driver’s favor.
You need compelling evidence, which can take various shapes. However, by far, the most compelling pieces of evidence are photos, and the shots can come right moments after the accident took place.
Why You Should Take Photos from the Scene
The more you wait to document the scene of the accident, the more evidence can disappear. For instance, marks left on the road by tires can be washed away by rain, and that’s assuming you can even go back in a few days to take the picture.
If you are able to, meaning your injuries aren’t too severe, you should use your phone to take as many pictures of the surroundings as necessary to have an accurate depiction of events. Remember to capture:
- Your injuries
- Your car
- The road
- The other vehicle involved
- The people around (it will help when you are looking for witnesses)
- Any other property damage (broken lights, knocked over trash cans)
How to Make Sure Your Pictures Are Useful
If you have a smartphone made in the last five years, then the quality of the photos will most likely be good enough to show an accurate story. However, it’s important to know how to choose the frames you should take so that the photos themselves are telling enough.
Here are a few tips to consider:
Snap Wide and Tight Shots
It’s important to take both wide-angles pictures of the full event, as well as capture details that may be lost from afar. There may be scraps on the car you miss with the naked eye, but the photos can accurately show them, for example.
Take Lots of Photos
Right after the accident, you’re probably feeling emotional, shaking, and may be unable to fully concentrate. For this reason, you should take a lot of photos of the same thing. Sometimes a photo can look good on the screen of your phone, but when you put in a laptop it can be blurry. If you’re able to do it, ask a friend to help you.
Ask People for Extra Photos
Because it’s a digital era, it’s very likely that other people will have footage of the event, perhaps even some from the moments before the impact. Remember to talk to witnesses and ask for these photos, as they can help your claim.
Speak With an Attorney
Get in touch with a St. Louis car accident lawyer to discuss your situation and figure out the best course of action to get the full amount of compensation you are legally entitled to. Give us a call 24/7 at (314) 361-4242 for a FREE consultation.