Have you ever heard the expression that “a picture is worth a thousand words?” Nothing could be more true when you are injured in a car accident. If the accident wasn’t your fault, you will be making a claim for your damages and you will have to prove your case. Far too often, people are involved in a wreck and they never take pictures. No pictures = lower case value. Taking clear photos is critical for providing powerful proof and capturing important details for your claim.
Before you take any photos, your health and safety should be your top priority. Make sure you are in a safe location, check for injuries, and address any immediate health concerns before documenting the scene. Taking photos immediately after a car accident can capture key evidence that may disappear quickly. If you have any questions, call Bradley Law Group for legal help. We speak English and Spanish.
Taking Accident Scene Photos: Tips From a Car Crash Lawyer
If you are able, take photos while you are still at the car accident scene. Be sure to focus on:
- Location of vehicles following collision (close up and from a distance)
- At fault driver (in case they decide to leave before police arrive)
- At-fault driver’s license plate
- Damage to your car
- Damage to at-fault driver’s car
- Street lighting (if it’s dark, take photos to show amount of ambient light from surrounding street lights, businesses, etc.)
When you are taking photos at the scene of the collision, always make certain that you are safe and staying out of harm’s way. When you take outdoor photos, lighting can be an issue. Check your photos to see if they came out ok. If not, take another photo from a different angle or with a different camera setting.
How To Document Vehicle Information
After a car accident, capturing detailed vehicle information at the accident scene can make a big difference in the outcome of your insurance claims and any legal action that follows. Beyond just snapping photos of the damage, take a few moments to document every car involved in the accident as thoroughly as possible.Start by photographing the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) for each car. The VIN is usually found on the dashboard near the windshield or inside the driver’s side door frame. Take a clear, close-up shot so the numbers are easy to read. This unique identifier helps ensure there’s no confusion about which vehicles were involved in the crash. Next, capture images of registration stickers, inspection tags, and any other official documents displayed on the windshield or license plates. These details can be important for verifying the status of each vehicle at the time the accident occurred.
By taking the time to capture all this information at the scene, you’ll be providing your legal team with the key evidence they need to support your case and help you pursue the financial compensation you deserve. Remember, more photos mean more proof — so don’t hesitate to document every important detail. If you have any concerns, speak to a car accident lawyer immediately.
Documenting Your Injuries For a Personal Injury Lawsuit
If you have injuries that are visible, it’s very important to take photos (bruises, cuts, road rash, burns, surgical scars, etc.) You want to be able to show the full extent of your injuries following the collision, so don’t wait to start taking photos. Taking a photo after an injury has healed doesn’t tell the whole story. Start taking daily photos. Keep taking daily photos until your injuries have healed. This allows your attorney to show the insurance company the full extent of your injury and recovery.
Continue taking photos of your injury recovery over time to support your insurance claim and help document the impact of your injuries for compensation, including medical bills.
Photo Tip: When you are taking photos of your injuries, it is best to have another person take the photos. Make sure that there is good lighting. Take the photos from a few different angles to make certain that everything is captured on film. Remember, these photos will be shown to an insurance company and possibly a jury. Wear appropriate clothing and take the picture against a background that isn’t distracting. We suggest using a light-colored wall or other surface as a backdrop. If the location of your injury will not allow for a wall to be used as a backdrop, make sure that whatever you use is not distracting. You want people looking at your injury, not the backdrop. Do not show other people or a messy room in the background.
Capturing Evidence of Permanent Scarring/Disfigurement
If you are left with a scar, skin discoloration or other permanent disfigurement, this can be a big part of your case. North Carolina law allows your attorney to argue for the value of your disfigurement calculated over the remainder of your life. The appearance and location of the disfigurement will play a role in your car accident case value, so good pictures are a must!
Facial Scarring and Disfigurement
If you have sustained facial scarring or disfigurement, it is important to document the injury clearly. Always take these photos without makeup; the goal is to show the full extent of the injury, not hide it. Use a light-colored wall or neutral backdrop with good lighting to avoid shadows. Capture a variety of close-up photos to show detail, as well as distance photos that show the injury in the context of your entire face.
Documenting Body Scarring
For body scarring or disfigurement, have someone assist you with the photography to ensure the best angles. Use a neutral backdrop and capture both close-ups and wider shots from farther back.
It is particularly helpful to take photos while wearing everyday clothing that reveals the injury. For example:
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Surgical scarring on the knee: Take photos in shorts to show how the scar appears in public.
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Forearm scars: Take photos in a T-shirt.
Showing how a scar is visible to others on a regular basis helps your attorney demonstrate the permanent impact of the injury, which can significantly increase the value of your claim.
Car Accident Evidence: Final Tips for Organizing Proof
When you are taking photos, make sure that there is a way to show the date the photo was taken. Some cell phones or cameras do this automatically. You need to be able to say, without question, when each photo was taken. If you are using a cell phone to take pictures, make sure to save the pictures in a designated folder so that all pictures are in the same place. If you are taking pictures over a period of months, you can easily lose photos if they are not stored in one specified folder or location.
Make sure to share your photos with your car crash lawyer on a regular basis. Depending on the appearance of the injury, your attorney might recommend getting an estimate from a doctor for scar revision procedures or other therapies to reduce the appearance of your injury. This also allows your attorney to share photographs with the insurance company throughout your case, which in turns helps the insurance adjuster make certain that they have enough money set aside to pay the full value of your claim.
Have More Questions? Speak To an Experienced North Carolina Car Accident Attorney
Our car crash attorneys have the relevant experience to handle even the most complex car accident and personal injury cases in North Carolina. We can help guide you through the entire claims process, helping ensure your rights are protected and you receive the compensation you deserve.
We offer free consultations and we never charge a fee until YOU get paid. No recovery = no legal fee. We look forward to speaking with you!
Disclaimer: All cases are unique and are evaluated independently. Past results are not a guarantee of future performance. This post does not form an attorney client relationship with the reader nor is it intended as legal advice. State laws are different regarding insurance coverages and their applicability. Bradley Law Group represents people involved in accidents in North Carolina.