For most, the moments after a Kentucky auto accident are a blur. After an accident, motorists are likely disoriented, and their adrenaline is running high. Even in situations where a motorist was injured, they may not realize the extent of their injuries or know how, exactly, the accident occurred. However, the moments following an accident are a crucial time to gather useful evidence that may help an accident victim recover compensation for their injuries through an insurance claim filed in a personal injury lawsuit.
Photographing the scene of an accident is a crucial step that an accident victim can take to document the scene before police and emergency responders arrive. Pictures of the scene can be useful in several ways. For example, insurance companies considering an accident victim’s claim may also want to review any images of the accident. If an insurance company is unwilling to fairly settle a claim, the accident victim may need to pursue a Kentucky personal injury lawsuit.
In a personal injury lawsuit, photographs can have several purposes. For example, photos of an auto accident can be presented to the jury, allowing jurors to better understand the accident and how it occurred. In more complex accidents, an experienced injury lawyer may present auto vehicle accident photos to an expert witness who can use the pictures to help re-enact the moments leading up to the accident.
Things to Keep in Mind When Photographing the Scene of a Kentucky Car Crash Accident
Given the prevalence of smartphones, almost all motorists now have the ability to snap a few pictures of an accident scene. Taking photographs will preserve crucial evidence that can be used to help a motorist establish who was at fault for causing the accident. However, there are a few things to consider when trying to document the scene of an accident with a cellphone camera.
First, while one may assume that the police officers will take a few pictures of an accident scene, that is not always the case. Police officers are responsible for conducting criminal investigations and, once they determine no criminal conduct was involved, they will often lose interest in a case. Sometimes, the only photos of an accident scene are the ones taken by those motorists involved in the crash. However, it is crucial to remember that safety takes priority. If an accident occurs on a busy highway, motorists should be careful. While photos can be instrumental in helping an accident victim prove what happened, an accident victim should not put themselves at risk to obtain them.
If it is safe to take pictures after an accident, consider the following tips:
Capture the entire scene: While detailed pictures of vehicle damage are important, it is also crucial to get some photos of the entire scene, including all vehicles involved. Determining the relative positions of all vehicles can be critical to determining who was at fault for causing the collision.
Photograph any stationary objects that were damaged: If any street signs, stop lights, utility poles, or buildings were damaged in the accident, be sure to capture this with your camera. This type of damage can help the jury or an expert witness better understand what led up to an accident.
Be sure to identify the location of traffic signs and signals: Photos indicating where stoplights and other traffic signs are located can also help establish the lay of the land. Additionally, photos may be used to impeach, or discredit, another driver’s version of the events to the extent that their descriptions are inaccurate.
Take a few photos that document the weather and conditions: Taking pictures of the weather conditions may be helpful if one of the other drivers involved in the accident blames the weather for their negligent driving.
Snap a few detailed pictures of any area of the vehicles that suffered damage in the accident: It is crucial to get as many close-up images of vehicle damage as possible. Focus on broken glass, interior damage, dented side panels, crushed front-ends, and any other visible areas of damage. If possible, capture photos of the damage to your vehicle as well as all other vehicles involved in the accident.
Photograph your injuries: If you have any visible injuries, document them as best you can with your cellphone camera. However, refrain from photographing other injured parties.
Document any road debris or skid marks: Debris that is found on the road after an accident may have either contributed to the accident or be a result of the accident. Either way, it is important to document anything on the road that shouldn’t be there. Photographing skid marks can help establish the direction and speed of a vehicle right before the accident.
Take a picture of driver’s licenses and insurance cards: While you could write down the driver’s license and insurance information of the others involved in an accident, it is much easier to take a few quick pictures.
While the moments after a Louisville auto accident are undoubtedly stressful, they also offer a valuable opportunity to obtain evidence that can help you earn the compensation you deserve. However, photos are not a requirement of a personal injury lawsuit. Thus, even if you were unable to take photos, you should still reach out to a dedicated injury attorney to discuss your case.
Contact an Experienced Auto Accident Injury Lawyer for Immediate Assistance
If you or someone you love has recently been injured in an auto accident, contact the dedicated injury attorneys at the Gladstein Law Firm, PLLC. Injury attorney, Seth Gladstein, is the founder of Gladstein Law Firm, PLLC, and has two decades of hands-on experience representing clients in a wide range of complex personal injury cases. Attorney Gladstein understands that recovering after a major accident presents many challenges to accident victims, and strives to make the process as straightforward as possible. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation, call today or contact the Gladstein Law Firm, PLLC through their online form.
