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Taking pictures at the scene of a traffic accident: a good idea

If you are involved in a traffic accident, it is imperative to make a record of what has happened, to the best of your ability. People involved in an accident are often urged to write everything down so that they remember it. If you have a mobile phone with you—and in our contemporary times, it is increasingly likely that you do–it is an equally good idea to take pictures.

Why? What you are doing with making a record, either with pictures or taking notes, it making sure you have a record of what happened, both for the insurance companies and should there be a court case.

The recall of both those involved in any accident and of witnesses and bystanders can be notoriously unreliable. Accounts of what happened, why, and where tend to fade over time. A picture ensures that the physical facts are recorded.

That said, what should you record? The following are advisable.

  • Both vehicles, before they are moved by police, ambulance or towing company, to indicate their positions vis-à-vis each other and any signs, traffic lights, and traffic lanes.
  • Any physical damage to both vehicles.
  • Skid marks, if any
  • Vehicle debris if there is any on the traffic lanes or surrounding areas
  • Any conditions that contributed to the accident, such as a nonworking traffic light.
  • Injuries that are physically evident, such as a bruises or cuts.

Be sure to get far enough away that you get a complete picture of the situation, the context, and the damage. You can show damage in one shot (eg, a right bumper), but be sure to indicate what the entire vehicle looked like as well (the whole right front side). Take at least three shots of every important scene.

You can also take pictures of key information, such as license plates and insurance ID cards, rather than writing down and potentially misplacing the information.

Please contact us at (844)-Take-MyCase and www.844TakeMyCase.com.

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