How do Photos Help in an Accident?
Recovering damages after a car accident is not easy, especially if the other party’s fault is not immediately clear. Photos were taken at the scene of an auto accident play a critical role in determining liability and helping you seek the compensation you deserve.
What to Do After a Car Accident
In the aftermath of a car crash, most people panic and have no idea what to do next. If you have just been in a car accident in Ponca City or other parts of Oklahoma, do the following:
- Get to a safe location to minimize the risk of re-injury;
- Seek medical attention;
- Call the police; and
Take photos of the accident scene, the extent of damage to your vehicle, your injuries, skid marks, and other relevant details to the crash.
Why You Should Take Photos After a Car Accident
While taking pictures after a collision may not seem very helpful, it can make a big difference for your personal injury or property damages claim. Having photos from the scene of your car crash documents your injuries and damages and may be used by investigators to determine what caused the collision. Photos can help you prove your insurance claim, and yet many people fail to take photos at the scene because they are in so much shock immediately after the crash that snapping pictures is the last thing on their mind.
How Car Accident Photos Can Help
There are several reasons to take photos at the scene of a car accident:
- Photos and videos are invaluable pieces of evidence to help you back up your claim. Not only do photographs document what happened, but they also help establish the extent of damage and injuries incurred from the crash. In other words, taking photos at the scene of an auto accident helps you preserve evidence for your claim.
- Car accident photos help prove what caused the crash. When reviewed by an experienced car accident attorney, pictures from the scene of a car crash can demonstrate proof of the cause of the accident.
- Photos can help fill in the gaps of the accident. Insurance companies are more likely to challenge the validity of your claim in the absence of photos and videos to back up your claims. Photos can provide a visual of the scene of the crash and help establish fault.
When Photos can Help in an Accident
If you were injured in a car crash caused by another driver, you could be entitled to compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Insurance companies are known for their manipulative and dishonest tactics. An insurer is more likely to deny your claim or pay you as little as possible when you do not have photos from the accident scene. If you have insufficient photos from the scene of the crash or do not have any pictures whatsoever to back up your claims, an insurance company is likely to:
- Blame you for the collision or argue that you were partially responsible for the accident;
- Undervalue your claim based on insufficient evidence or not enough information provided; or
- Dispute the severity of your injuries.
Taking photos at the accident scene can help you build a successful claim and increases your chances of obtaining a fair settlement. You have two years to bring a personal injury claim following a car crash in Oklahoma, according to 12 OK Stat § 12-95. Consult with a Ponca City car accident attorney if you were injured in a motor vehicle crash and need help with determining liability in your accident. Contact Boettcher, Devinney, Ingle & Wicker for a case review by calling at 580-765-9660.
