After a personal injury accident, the stress can feel overwhelming. There are injuries to tend to, questions to answer, and countless worries about what comes next. Amidst the chaos, there’s one step that can make a significant difference: taking good photos. Pictures tell a story that words often can’t.
The personal injury attorneys at Horn Wright, LLP, understand how life-altering an accident can be. Our attorneys are here to guide you every step of the way. With experience, care, and an eye for detail, we can help ensure your claim is as strong as possible.
Photos Are Your Secret Weapon in a Personal Injury Case
Photos are more than just images—they're powerful tools in a personal injury case. Unlike memories, which can fade or be challenged, photos provide concrete, objective evidence.
Just some of the ways photos can help:
- Proving Liability: Photos can show who or what caused the accident.
- Highlighting Injuries: Clear pictures of cuts, bruises, or broken bones immediately after the accident—and as they heal—show the severity of the harm. Bedsore or other injuries after nursing home abuse or neglect are incredibly important.
- Preserving Scene Conditions: Skid marks, damaged property, or debris, photos lock in the scene's details before they’re cleaned up or forgotten.
The stronger the visual evidence, the better your chance of presenting a compelling case that’s hard for insurance companies to downplay.
5 Things You Need to Snap After an Accident
Knowing what to photograph can make or break your claim. While it’s tempting to snap away at random, you want to take a focused approach.
- Accident Scene: Capture the scene from multiple angles. Wide shots help show context. Intersections, weather conditions, or the presence (or absence) of warning signs. For motorcycle accidents try and include traffic signals, road markings, or anything else that explains the crash.
- Property Damage: Whether it’s a crumpled bumper, a shattered window, or dented walls, take close-ups of all damage. These types of photos are a must-have for showing the severity of impact.
- Injuries: Take clear, close-up photos of visible injuries as soon as you can. Continue documenting your injuries as they heal. It creates a timeline that can be invaluable showing how your injuries affected your life down the road.
- Other Parties: Snap pictures of license plates, other vehicles involved, and the people at the scene. If you were injured in a truck accident take pictures of the entire tractor trailer.
- Evidence at the Scene: Focus on anything unusual. Skid marks, broken glass, spilled liquids if you were injured in a slip and fall, fallen objects, or anything else that could explain what went wrong will definitely help your case.
By covering all these bases, you’ll ensure your photos paint a complete picture of the accident.
Take Photos Like a Pro: Tips You Can’t Skip
Taking great photos after an accident doesn’t mean you need to be a professional photographer. Try some of these tips to take the best photos possible.
- Use a Quality Camera
Most smartphones today have excellent cameras. Use one that provides sharp, high-resolution images. - Shoot from Multiple Angles
Don’t just snap one photo and move on. Capture every subject from different perspectives. It’ll add context and make sure nothing was missed. - Mind the Lighting
Poor lighting can hide important details. Use natural light when possible or turn on your phone’s flashlight. - Include Time and Date Stamps
Smartphones automatically log the time and date of a photo. It’ll help establish when the photos were taken.
By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll create photo evidence that’s clear, credible, and useful.
Don’t Blow It: Mistakes That Ruin Your Photos
Even giving it your best, it’s easy to undermine your photos’ value. Here are a few pitfalls to steer clear of:
- Not Taking Enough
It’s better to have too many pictures than too few. Missing key details—like a stop sign or a dangerous pothole after a car accident can weaken your claim. - Editing or Filtering Photos
It’s tempting to tweak your images for better lighting or clarity, but don’t. Edited photos can lose credibility and may be challenged in court. - Neglecting Safety
Don’t prioritize taking photos over your safety. If the accident scene is active or dangerous, wait until it’s safe. If you were in a car accident riding an Uber or Lyft make sure the scene is safe before you start snapping photos.
Avoiding these errors ensures your photos are trustworthy and usable in your case.
Post-Accident Photo Hacks: What to Do Next
Once the immediate chaos of the accident subsides, take steps to safeguard your photos. This ensures they’re ready when needed.
- Act Quickly
The sooner you take photos, the better. Weather changes, clean-ups, or time can erase key evidence. Document the scene as soon as you can safely do so. - Organize and Back Up
Create a folder on your phone or computer for accident photos. Back them up to the cloud or an external drive to prevent accidental loss.
These steps help preserve your evidence and ensure it’s accessible whenever it’s needed.
Call Horn Wright, LLP, Today for Your Personal Injury Accident
Good photos can make all the difference in a personal injury case. They provide undeniable evidence, tell your story, and strengthen your claim.
The personal injury attorneys at Horn Wright, LLP, are here to help you navigate the complexities of your case. Our team understands the power of visual evidence and will work to ensure it’s used effectively on your behalf. Call today for your free consultation.