If you were injured by a negligent driver, you probably expect his or her insurance company to pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. However, insurance companies are businesses, and they look for any possible excuse to deny and undervalue claims.
As such, it is important that you take the necessary steps to give your claim the best possible chance at success. The process of gathering evidence begins at the crash scene. In addition to calling the police and recording the contact details of eyewitnesses, you should take photos that show the positions of vehicles, skid marks, traffic signs, injuries, property damage, and the road conditions. These pictures may help your attorney prove negligence and liability if the at-fault driver or insurance company disputes your claim.
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In addition to collecting evidence, there is a myriad of other steps you must take after a collision in order to recover the maximum compensation. An auto accident lawyer from Laborde Earles Law Firm can help you navigate the claims process and avoid costly mistakes. Call (337) 777-7777 today to schedule a free consultation with an auto accident lawyer in Lafayette.
Read on to learn four tips to help you take pictures of a crash scene:
- Take Wide-Angle Photos That Show the Positions of Vehicles
Your first inclination may be to zoom in and take close-up shots of the property damage, but wide-angle photos can be just as important. Wide-angle photos can help clear up any inconsistencies in the police report, and they may help prove your side of the story if the other driver blames you for the wreck.
- Take Pictures of Traffic Signs
If the collision happened at an intersection, take photographs of the stop signs or traffic lights. Try to get several shots with the vehicles in the frame so it is easy to see where the accident occurred in relation to the intersection.
- Capture the Road Conditions
If the accident occurred in the rain or snow, make sure you capture that fact on camera. If it was a clear day, you should still take photos to show the conditions. These pictures may be valuable if the at-fault driver argues that poor road conditions caused the collision.
- Photograph Any Skid Marks
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Walk around the crash scene and look for any fresh skid marks. If you do find skid marks, take both close-up and wide photos. If, for example, the collision occurred because the other driver was speeding, photos of skid marks may help an accident reconstruction expert identify the cause of the crash.
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If you were injured in a collision with a drunk, distracted, or negligent driver, contact Laborde Earles Law Firm. Call (337) 777-7777 to schedule a free consultation with a car wreck attorney in Lafayette.
Call or text 337-221-9907 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
