A picture is worth a thousand words. In the context of a car accident lawsuit, they can be worth a lot more than that. This evidence can help you paint a clear picture for the jury as far as the severity of your accident and the extent of the harm you’ve suffered. It can also go a long way toward proving causation, which is necessary if you want to impose liability and recover compensation for the harm that’s been caused to you.
But with so much going on in the aftermath of your wreck, taking pictures might be the last thing on your mind. But we encourage you to be cognizant of the power of this evidence and seek out assistance in securing photographs if you’re unable to take them yourself. Even if you have to take pictures days after the accident, that’s still better than having no pictures at all.
Tips for taking pictures to support your car accident personal injury case
Not all pictures are created equal. In fact, poorly taken pictures can create ambiguities that prove detrimental to your claim. Therefore, as you set out to take pictures relevant to your wreck, you should consider doing the following:
- Take pictures from multiple angles: As you photograph your accident and your injuries, you want to make sure you capture every detail. The best way to ensure that you do this is to take pictures from multiple angles. This will ensure that a standalone photo doesn’t raise more questions than it answers, and that you provide the jury with a clear picture of what it is you’re trying to convey.
- Photograph the area surrounding the accident: While you’ll certainly want to capture the damage caused by your accident, you’ll also want to take pictures of the surroundings. This can help contextualize where the accident occurred and highlight anything that may be relevant to a causation determination. For example, tire skid marks can show who slammed on their brakes and when, and they can also help an expert determine speed at the time of the accident. These pictures might also capture traffic signs and signals that may prove important to your case.
- Take pictures of your injuries as soon as possible: We know that you’re dealing with a lot of pain in the days following a crash but given that visible signs of some injuries can fade over time it’s imperative that you photograph your injuries sooner rather than later. Be as detailed as possible when taking these pictures, too, that way you give a clear indication of your injuries’ severity and capture the true extent of the damages you’ve suffered.
- Photograph witness contact information: Your nerves and your injuries will probably leave you discombobulated and shaky after your wreck. This can cause you to inaccurately transcribe witness contact information, which can leave you in a tough spot if you need to take your case to trial. It’s therefore a better idea to have witnesses present their contact information so that you can take a picture of it.
Build a solid personal injury case that protects your interests
The intricacies of a personal injury case can feel overwhelming. But taking them piece-by-piece can make the process easier and lead to the development of strong legal arguments. Therefore, as you navigate your personal injury case, be sure to pay attention to the details and leave no stone unturned. By being diligent, thorough and aggressive, you’ll hopefully be able to find accountability and recover the compensation needed to get you back on your feet.
