The importance of having evidence to prove the extent of your personal injuries and damages after a car accident cannot be overstated. Photographs are a primary source of this proof and can help demonstrate to the insurance company and court how severely you are hurt and provide further details of the accident.
Taking photos can also help protect you against the insurance company attempting to blame you for having a part in the injuries you received. The State of Florida uses comparative fault standards when determining personal injury compensation, which means that at-fault parties may try to minimize your losses and damages as much as possible by deflecting liability onto you. If they succeed, the percentage of liability for your own injuries that you carry will reduce your personal injury compensation in kind.
Why Car Accident Scene Photographs Are Important
Being in a car accident is traumatic, startling, and disorienting. It’s easy to miss crucial details when navigating the chaos that follows such an event. Simple things like weather conditions, vehicle position, and the circumstances leading up to the crash can quickly become forgotten or vague, all of which are critical to your personal injury case.
This reality underscores the importance of capturing as many details as possible with photos when you’ve suffered a car accident. With this in mind, make sure to capture as many visual details as possible if you are in a car accident in the St. Petersburg area.
Damage to the Involved Cars
Grabbing a few quick shots of damage done to all vehicles involved is essential for your accident claim later. Broken glass, dented doors, scraped quarter panels, and even deployed airbags are critical photographic evidence to demonstrate the severity of the collision and lend credence to the seriousness of your injuries.
Scenery
Another important detail to capture for more precise recollection later is the location of your accident and the surrounding area. If you were in a pile-up on a highway, taking a quick photo of the mile marker nearby, how many lanes of traffic there were, road signs, and other details can create an accurate description of your accident scene.
License Plates
Take pictures of the license plates of all cars involved, as well as those of potential witnesses. Many times, onlookers don’t wait around for the police to arrive, and sometimes, the at-fault party may leave before speaking with law enforcement.
Injuries You Sustained
Make sure to take pictures of any visible injuries you have, and if you’re unable to, ask the police or EMTs on the scene to do this on your behalf. These can support your claim of more severe internal injuries later when seeking compensation for your medical costs, lost wages, and more.
Points of Collision and Skids
Sometimes, insurance companies will try to argue that your accident couldn’t have caused the injuries you are claiming. Worse, at-fault parties may try to deflect part of the blame onto you. This makes photographing points of impact extremely important for your personal injury attorney when proving you had no liability in the car accident.
Weather Conditions
Poor weather conditions frequently play a role in many types of motor vehicle accidents. From slick roads not allowing a driver to stop in time to dense fog concealing brake lights ahead, documenting weather may help prove another driver’s recklessness.
Accident Witnesses
Just like with license plates, snapping a quick shot of the people gathered around your accident scene can help your personal injury lawyer obtain important witness testimony later.
Remember, make sure you are no longer in danger before documenting your accident scene with photos. Gathering this type of evidence is important, but you shouldn’t further risk your health and safety to do so.
Trust Your Case to a St. Petersburg Rear-End Accident Attorney
The shocking experience of a motor vehicle accident makes it difficult to think ahead about potential injuries. You may only be concerned about the damage to your vehicle in the heat of the moment, but taking a few quick pictures can safeguard claims for medical care later. At Marsalisi Law, we handle all types of car and motorcycle accident personal injury claims in the St. Petersburg area. Our firm can use the photographic evidence you take and use it to support a personal injury claim for damages against the at-fault party.
Work with an attorney who is a proud member of the Tampa Bay Trial Lawyers Association. Attorney Frank P. Marsalisi has successfully negotiated and litigated countless car accident claims for his clients in the St. Petersburg area. Being fluent in English and Spanish, we can easily communicate with you about your case clearly and give you the answers you need to understand your claim options. Contact our office online today or call (727) 800-5052 for a free case evaluation to learn what your rights are and how to proceed with your case.
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