How to Photograph a Car Accident Scene

Cell phones have made life easier in many ways, including accident photography, which is now much more convenient. Instead of carrying a disposable camera or hoping another driver has one, using a camera on a driver’s cell phone is a great option for clear, usable photos of car crashes.

However, when you’ve been in a car accident, it’s not just a matter of taking photos—it’s about taking the right ones. The right photos can significantly strengthen your claim, and missing those shots could make it harder to prove what happened and recover compensation. If you’ve been involved in a Missouri car accident and you’re looking for the legal guidance you need to move forward, let’s talk. Contact Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys today.

Capture the big picture

Detailed photos are good, but they’re not very useful if you don’t have an overview of what happened. Start with wide shots that show the overall layout of the accident scene, including street names, skid marks, other vehicles that may have been impacted, traffic lanes, landmarks, and any other items that provide context. These images make it easier for insurers and attorneys to understand what happened and view more detailed photos in context.

Walk around the entire accident scene and take photos from multiple angles. Try to include reference points in each photo, such as signs, buildings, and mile markers. These reference points make it easier for investigators to determine where vehicles were located at the time of the crash.

Document all involved vehicles

Next, you need to document every vehicle that was involved in the collision. Get close-up shots as well as medium-distance photos; you want to see close-up damage on the vehicle and the vehicle as a whole. Make sure you photograph:

• Damage to the vehicle from multiple angles
• Any shattered glass, bent frames, deployed airbags, or leaking fluids
• License plates and registration stickers
• Anything identifying the vehicle, such as bumper stickers, fleet numbers, or commercial logos

If you can, you may also want to photograph the interior of the vehicle. These photos provide additional detail on the vehicle’s damage and help investigators and insurers evaluate how the crash occurred as part of the overall evidence.

Don’t forget details

When you’re focused on major signs of damage like crumple zones and bent frames, don’t forget about smaller details. Skid marks and tire tracks can be used to figure out speed and braking distance. Debris like broken mirrors and lights can also hint at how fast each driver was going and where the impact occurred. Damaged road barriers, signs, and guardrails can be useful in fully understanding the accident. Personal items thrown around in your vehicle can also show how hard you were hit and explain the impact your body experienced during the collision.

Document important environmental factors

External factors may affect a crash investigation and determine who is or isn’t liable. If the road surface is wet, icy, cracked, or otherwise different from usual, make sure you take photos of it. If there are visibility concerns, such as sun glare, obscured signs, or poor lighting, document those with photos as well. If defective traffic signals may have contributed to the crash, consider getting video footage showing how they were functioning at the time of the collision.

Include people while respecting their privacy

Injury documentation is crucial to obtaining fair compensation after a collision. If you and your passengers are injured, take pictures of all of your injuries before and after receiving medical care. Continue to document injuries in the hours and days that follow the crash.

If the other driver allows, take photos of their driver’s license, license plate, and insurance card. This is common practice at crash scenes.

Do not share injury photos online. Share them only with your car accident lawyer and your insurance company. The other party’s insurance company may be able to access them on your social media and spin the narrative against you.

Act fast – evidence disappears quickly

It is crucial that you act quickly and make the most of this time. Other types of evidence, such as police and medical records, are typically available long after a crash, though availability depends on record-retention policies. The crash scene can change quickly as the Missouri State Highway Patrol, other responders and tow crews work to restore traffic flow. Before you leave, when it is safe to do so, fully document the scene. Get detailed pictures that show what you’ve been through and gather the on-scene evidence that your insurance company and attorney will want to review.

This is especially important if your accident happened in inclement weather or at night. Weather, natural lighting, and road conditions can change rapidly – leaving the scene and coming back later could mean that you come back to a scene completely different from the one that you left.

If you are seriously injured at the scene and cannot take photos, ask a passenger or loved one to help you. If you were traveling alone at the time of the crash, consider asking a witness or bystander to help you take photos.

Choose Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys for your car accident claim

Don’t wait too long to start your car accident claim in Kansas City. We’re here to help you fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to start your case.