An auto accident can be a stressful situation. Everything from making sure everyone is okay to wondering how to go about fixing the car goes through every driver’s mind from the moment they are involved in an auto accident. The process to get the car repaired and medical bills paid for does not end the moment the police report is filed. There are many steps drivers need to take when filing an auto insurance claim with their insurance company.
Taking photos of the accident will help prove fault and show the auto insurance companies exactly what happened and how much damage was sustained by both of the cars.
Damage
The driver should start by taking photos of the damage on his or her own vehicle. This includes getting up close and taking detailed shots of the damage, as well as, photos of both vehicles where they sat right after the accident. Then, the driver should take a few up close photos of the other driver’s damage to his or her car.
Accident site
Next, the driver should snap a few photos of the accident site. This includes any skid marks on the road. If possible, place a small recognizable object next to the skid marks to show size and scale for a better estimate of when the other driver hit the brakes and determine how fast he or she was going. If the vehicles were moved, go back and take photos of where the accident occurred.
Take any photos of debris on the ground, such as shattered glass, damaged vehicle parts, or other debris from both of the vehicles. Look around the accident scene to see if there are any road signs, such as stop, yield, warning or speed limit signs. If there are, snap a few photos of those too.
Injuries
The driver should take photos of any injuries he or she, and any passengers in his or her car, sustained during the accident.
Taking photographs of the accident scene will ensure everything is documented long before parts of the accident are removed. Make sure to take these photographs from varying angles and distances. These photos will help when filing a claim with the auto insurance company and help speed up the process.
Those still having questions about how to properly document an auto accident should contact a local Tampa area lawyer for assistance.
Auto accident lawyer tampa