How to photograph a car accident scene

Whether you live or work in Boston, you likely know how crowded the city’s roadways can be. With the high volume of traffic in the city, you eventually may have an automobile collision. While the number of fatal car accidents in Beantown has decreased, many accidents result in serious injuries.

If you suffer an injury because of a negligent, reckless or distracted driver, you should not have to pay medical bills or repair costs for damaged property. To pursue compensation, though, you need a complete record of the accident scene. Because a picture is worth a thousand words, you probably want to take some photographs. Here are four ways to ensure your pictures are valuable.

1. Capture relevant details

Car accidents can unfold in a seemingly endless number of ways. Often, weather conditions, the position of the sun, traffic patterns and road signs play a part. As such, when you are taking photographs of a crash scene, be sure you capture as much relevant information as possible. Also, provided you can do so safely, position yourself in different vantage points to capture the entire scene.

2. Snap more photographs than you think necessary

You may think you have taken enough photographs to accurately document the accident, only to find out that your photos are misleading, grainy or blurry. Therefore, always take more photographs than you think you may need. If you have extra, you can simply delete unnecessary ones later.

3. Do not forget about people

If you, your passengers or others sustain an injury in an automobile collision, you must be sure to take photographs of the person and his or her injuries. You may also want to photograph assembled crowds to make identifying witnesses easier. Note, though, taking photos of the driver who caused the accident may cause trouble.

4. Think about context

Finally, when you are taking photographs of the aftermath of a car crash, always think about context. If the outside of your vehicle has damage, there is a good chance something is broken inside. Also, remember that pictures may be hard to understand without context. As such, always frame photographs to include vehicles, signs, people or objects to help future viewers understand both scale and distance.

The best time to begin documenting a car accident is right after it occurs. If you can take photographs without injuring yourself or others, you begin to build a record of the collision. By following a few simple photography tips, you may also increase your chances of receiving fair compensation for your injuries and property damage.