You may have come across the old saying, "A picture is worth a thousand words", and this is especially true when you're trying to maximize your compensation for damages following a car accident. For this reason, some experts even recommend having a disposable camera in your glove-box, even though your smartphone may have a great camera.
Typically, accident photos should clearly depict:
- The damage received by your car
- Pictures of skid marks on the road
- Multiple angles of the accident scene
Taking photos of the scene of the accident is vital because it helps you and other victims remember exactly what transpired on that miserable day. However, more importantly, these photos act as evidence when you file a claim to receive compensation for your damages.
You could also make your case stronger by recording contact information or witness statements. You may also ask to take a picture of the negligent driver's car insurance while allowing them to take a picture of yours as well. You see, oftentimes, having such pictures around while filing a claim with insurance companies can help speed up your case.
In the off chance that you have received injuries that hinder your ability to take photos, Fort Myers car accident attorneys strongly recommend asking someone else to do this for you. Make sure that you explain exactly what kind of picture you are looking for and then review your pictures against our checklist.
- Try to get pictures of the reckless driver's:
- Name
- Driver license number
- Insurance information (including the name of the carrier, the policy identification number, and their agent's phone number)
It will also be helpful for your case if you try to capture a picture of or make a note of the names and contact information of all the passengers who were witnesses to your car crash. This includes:
- Driver's license
- Contact information
- License plate number
Note: If the police have arrived at the scene, you should personally ask them to file an accident report before asking for their names, badge numbers and contact information. However, it would help if you refrained from making any official statements for police records before contacting a car accident attorney in Fort Myers.