Should I Take Pictures at the Accident Scene Using My Cell Phone?
Although cell phones have been linked with many distracted driving accidents, a mobile phone can be an asset following a crash. Any personal injury attorney will advise you to take as many pictures as possible at the scene of an accident. Photographs can serve as concrete evidence, documenting your accident-related losses or damages.
In this article, the Harrisburg personal injury attorneys at Mette discuss the benefits of taking pictures at the scene of an accident, as well as which damages you may be entitled to recover.
Pictures Serve as Evidence of How a Crash Occurred
Snapping photos of how cars are positioned after a crash can provide insurance companies with more information on how an accident unfolded. Although an insurance company will typically work with an accident reconstructionist to determine liability, taking pictures of vehicle wreckage, skid marks, and the final positioning of your vehicles can fill in any missing information.
There is no denying that the insurance company wants to pay out as little as possible. At Mette Attorneys at Law, we work with a network of accident reconstructionists who take an unbiased approach to motor vehicle crashes. By examining all the evidence in your case, they will evaluate the other driver’s degree of fault, which will help strengthen your claim.
Pictures Can Help You Recover Compensation
In 2022, there were 5.2 million medically consulted injuries in motor vehicle accidents. If you sustained physical injuries, take as many pictures as possible. Unfortunately, many injuries cannot be captured on camera, but if you suffered lacerations, contusions, or a traumatic amputation, take a photo. Although the image may be gruesome, it will be documentation you can submit to insurance to increase the likelihood of adequate compensation.
Better yet, cell phone photos have a date and time stamp, showing that your injuries directly result from your accident. This can protect you if the other driver tries to claim that your injuries are due to something else.
Pictures Fill in Any Missing Information in the Police Report
In Pennsylvania, motorists are required to contact the police following any accident that results in injuries, fatalities, or property damage. In the event of a minor crash, a driver is obligated to file a written police report within five days.
The police officer who responds to your call will arrive on the scene and take down a report. The officer will take down the names and information of the parties involved, draw a diagram of your accident, and give their opinion on who caused the crash. This assessment may miss details that a cell phone photo may capture.
Be sure to take pictures from various angles, including the direction the tires are turned. This can show how each driver attempted to avoid the collision (or if a driver failed to avoid the crash entirely). Evidence that demonstrates liability is critical to a successful personal injury claim.
Compensation Following a Car Accident
If you were injured in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earnings
- Ambulatory services
- Medical imaging and laboratory tests
- Prescription costs
- Home modifications
- Medical equipment (i.e., wheelchair, orthotic devices, specialized bed)
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship and society
- Disfigurement or scarring
Reach Out to Our Harrisburg Personal Injury Lawyers Today
If you have been involved in a car crash, you should be given fair compensation to cover any accident-related expenses. Our Harrisburg personal injury lawyers have helped countless clients recover just compensation. If you are ready to acquire aggressive representation, look no further than our legal team. To schedule your consultation, contact us online or by calling (717) 231-5219 at your earliest convenience.