According to estimates, drivers will file car accident claim around once every 17 years or so. However, car crashes, no matter how common they are, can be extremely disorienting. It never gets easier to feel the jarring impact of a car hitting your rear bumper, and if the crash is more than just a rear-end accident, the repercussions can be extreme.
If you are involved in a car crash, and you have checked on your condition and the condition of other people involved, you should call the police and get to a safe location. If you need medical care, ask the dispatcher to send an ambulance. While the scene may be chaotic, if you have a phone with a camera installed, make sure to take as many pictures of the site as possible.
People involved in collisions rarely think about documenting evidence, but this is a major step if you want to file a car accident claim. Having photos of all the damage involved, including physical injuries, will strengthen your case by providing compelling evidence of the incident.
Once you’re able to call your car insurance company, photos from the accident can indicate the cause of the crash, any potential contributing factors to the collision, and the extent of damages that you or your passengers suffered as a direct result of the crash.
Likewise, when you file a claim, insurance companies will do their best to avoid paying as much money as possible. Some do this by trying to downplay the extent of damage; however, if you have photo evidence of how extreme the damage is, they have no choice but to use the evidence to determine the total cost of reimbursement.
If the other driver tries to claim you were at fault in the incident, photo evidence could also prove them wrong. For example, if the other driver tries to say they didn’t cause that much damage to the back of your car and you have photo evidence of the extensive damage to both your rear bumper and his or her front bumper, his or her insurance company will have no choice but to pay for the cost of your repairs.
The next time you are involved in a collision, consider taking pictures of the following:
- Property damage to vehicles, buildings, and other objects
- Debris from the collision
- Your injuries just after and days after the crash
- Nearby traffic signs and any obstacles blocking them from view (such as overgrown shrubbery)
- Witnesses, police officers, and the other driver
- Important details about the collision
- Surrounding area
If you use an actual camera, make sure the date and time stamp on the device is correct. If you are using a smartphone, the date and time are automatically stored in the metadata of each picture.
In some cases, people might be too injured to take pictures. If you are rushed to the hospital before you can take the pictures yourself, ask a family member to go back to the scene and take photos on your behalf.
If you need help filing a claim or appealing a claim denial, talk to our skilled Lexington car accident attorneys. Goeing, Goeing & McQuinn, PLLC has more than 20 years of combined legal experience to offer your case. Our team is dedicated to fighting for the compensation of those who have been harmed by the negligence or carelessness of another.
Contact us at (859) 253-0088 or fill out our online form to schedule a free case consultation today.