Right after a car crash in Iowa, car accident photos may not be the first thing you think about doing. The trauma of the car accident and any crash-related injuries can overwhelm any other thoughts. However, if you find yourself at a crash scene, and you can do it safely, there are good reasons to take photographs right after a car accident.
Why are Photos After Your Car Accident So Important?
Convincing either a jury or an insurance company that a person has suffered serious injury or the death of a loved one often requires a “show and tell” presentation. Car accident photos make it easier for people to understand what you are going through and will continue to go through because they can see it with their own eyes. An experienced Iowa car accident lawyer can use photos to show how much you have suffered. Pictures are a powerful way to illustrate the severity of your injuries or your loss.
Photos to Take Before Your Iowa Car Crash
Taking photos of your vehicle before it has been in an accident can help show the severity of the damage from the crash. One easy way to remember to take photos of your vehicle is to snap them when putting your registration sticker on your license plate for that year.
If you have taken no photos of your vehicle before you are involved in a crash, don’t worry. It is not necessary to have these photos – only helpful to show what your vehicle looked like before the crash.
Photos to Take After Your Iowa Car Accident
After a car accident, you may see insurance representatives or law enforcement taking pictures of the scene. Do not assume that in Iowa, car accident photos taken by the police or insurance companies will be for your use, or good enough for you to use to prove your injuries. The best way to know you got the right photos after your car accident is to take them yourself, or have someone you trust take them.
There are many photos you should take, or have someone else take if you are unable. These types of photos include:
Photos of the Auto Crash Scene
Snap pictures from both the direction you approached and from the direction of the other driver’s approach. If there are any skid marks, photograph them if you can. Get photos of any debris left by the crash, including glass or any car parts, before it is moved.
Photos of Your Vehicle
It’s important to photograph as much of your vehicle as you can while at the scene. Once you have taken car accident photos from every angle possible, your car can be moved. However, do not have your vehicle repaired before you snap a few photos of the undercarriage and other hard-to-photograph places on your car. The easiest way to do this is when your vehicle is up on a lift at your mechanic’s garage.
Photos of Your Injuries
Have photos taken of any visible injuries as soon as you can. Bruises, scrapes, cuts, and other noticeable injuries are important to photograph while they are still fresh.
Photos of Your Medical Treatment
If you are taken to the hospital for your car crash injuries, have someone photograph you in the hospital getting treatment. This includes any stitches, staples, or bandages. If you must use crutches, a walker, a wheelchair, or other medical devices, take pictures. Have someone take photos of you using the devices. Again, in Iowa, car accident photos can help a lawyer illustrate your pain and suffering to an insurance company, or to a jury if your car accident lawsuit goes to trial.
Returning to the Scene after the Crash
It also helps to return to the scene a few days after the crash. Often accidents take place at night, or when the weather isn’t ideal. Returning to the scene when it is daylight and taking the same photos you took right after the crash helps to show all necessary details of the area.
If you have further questions about what pictures you should take or what else you need to do after you’ve been in an auto accident, call one of our Iowa car accident lawyers at 1-319-774-1542.
