Attorney
Some of the most powerful evidence for your personal injury claim can only be captured within moments of the accident. No matter how much your attorney tries to describe to the jury what everything looked like, a photograph can be much more convincing.
The things you should photograph will depend on the type of event in which you got injured and the details of your situation, but there are several categories of photos that could be useful in most injury cases. You should only take pictures if you can do so safely. If you cannot do so, you might ask a trusted individual to capture a few snapshots on your behalf. A Virginia personal injury attorney can answer your questions and explain the three things to photograph for your personal injury claim.
Photographing the Scene
Whether you got hurt in a slip and fall accident or a motor vehicle collision, taking pictures of where the accident happened could be strong evidence of the cause of your injuries. For example, if a car was traveling in the wrong direction on the highway, a photograph of the location of the vehicles right after a head-on collision could help establish who was at fault.
If you slipped and fell in a grocery store because the misters in the produce section created puddles, getting a photograph of the floor where you fell before the manager has someone mop it up could be essential to your case. Whatever the hazard was, you will want a good photograph from multiple angles and distances, including close-up.
Capturing Images of Your Injuries
The insurance company or at-fault party might accuse you of exaggerating your injuries. It is difficult for them to use that tactic effectively if you have good photos of your injuries. Be sure to note the date on which you took the pictures.
You might want to take follow-up photos at different stages of the healing and when you had to undergo medical intervention, like surgery. It is usually best to have assistance when photographing your injuries because it can be challenging to get a good angle when trying to photograph yourself.
Taking Pictures of Property Damage
If you got injured in a car accident, you want to photograph all of the vehicles involved in the collision. Do not limit your photographs to visible damage. It is useful to capture photos of all sides of every vehicle. Sometimes people later claim significant vehicle damage that was not present at the scene.
For other types of personal injury claims, you will want to document all relevant property damage with photographs.
It is extremely important that you only share the photos with your personal injury lawyer. Absolutely do not post your photos on social media. Anything posted on social media can be taken out of context and used against you. It is best to take a complete break from social media from the time you get injured until the time your claim gets resolved. A Virginia personal injury attorney can help you navigate the personal injury claims process. Get in touch with our office today for legal assistance, we provide a free consultation.