Taking pictures and recording a scene of an accident is another significant way of guarding yourself legally.
These visuals are useful when dealing with insurance companies or even making a case in a court of law.
South Carolina state operates under fault laws to determine compensation, therefore, proper documentation of this case can greatly enhance the results.
This guide describes how to take proper pictures of an accident scene, and how to record the damage that you want to use as evidence.
Why the Scene of the Accident Should Be Recorded
Comparatively, the state of South Carolina operates under comparative negligence laws, and therefore your compensation may be reduced if you were partly responsible for the accident.
Photographs and videos can be used to present the reality of the car accident or any other type of accident and contribute to determining fault and responsibility. Without such evidence, one might be forced to give a speech or an essay based on word of mouth, which is easily refutable.
This way you get real evidence that can help you during the negotiation of the settlement or during the trial.
For instance, photographs of property damage like skid marks or road surfaces could prove that another driver was reckless. Without these visuals, it may be difficult to refute a claim that you were the cause of the accident.
Before Taking Photos & Videos
If you are planning on recording a scene, do this in a safe environment, as well as everyone else around. If needed, go to a safer zone and start shooting only when the environment is secure.
Make yourself ready with some gadget like a smartphone or camera and make sure that you have the time stamp and geolocation option on your device.
These details can corroborate the time and place of the images, thus lending more credibility to your evidence. Try to always take close-up pictures and have spare batteries or a charger with you if at all possible since shooting an entire scene effectively may run down the battery.
What to Capture: Essential Photos and Videos
Some important things that you should capture after an accident:
- Harm to Cars or Buildings
Photograph any open wounds on your car and any other car that was involved in the accident. Other vehicle damages include scratches, dents, broken parts, and shattered glass.
Take pictures that are likely to give an overall view of the position of the vehicles and their positioning about one another.
- The Accident Scene
Take pictures of the road surface, for instance, where there are small craters, it is wet or there is a skid mark. It is also necessary to mention nearby traffic signs, signals, and intersections to better understand the situation.
Capture weather conditions as it was either sunshine or rain when the accident happened, and such conditions may have contributed to the accident.
- Injuries
Every time you have an opportunity, take pictures of any injuries you or other passengers have received. However, in the case of taking a picture of another person’s injuries, it is advisable to seek his/her permission so as not to attract legal or privacy problems.
- License Plates and Documents
Take pictures of the registration number plates of all the cars used in the incident. Also, driver’s licenses, registration cards, and insurance information should be photographed and stored for future claims purposes.
Strategies for Conducting High-Quality Evidence Gathering
Strategies to build some high-quality pieces of evidence:
- Angles and Lighting
Take different views and avoid using flash because it may obscure vision. Do not tilt the pictures to the side where shadows or glares will obscure some of the details.
- Multiple Perspectives
Instead, it is recommended to take multiple shots from different angles to get the whole picture.
- Authenticity
Do not try to crop or rotate the images or the videos, as this may reduce the admissibility of the images in court.
The best ways to Use Your Documentation to Support Your Case
Subgroup your evidence by dividing it into the kind of evidence found, for example, damage, accidents, and conditions of the road.
Include these pieces of evidence with the police when reporting the incident, and with the insurance company when filing a claim.
This means to build up a strong case, you need to provide your personal injury attorney with clear and organized visuals for the injury claim.
These materials can be utilized by your lawyer to prove the level of loss and to rebut the other party’s objections.
Legal and Privacy Issues in South Carolina
Ensure that you respect South Carolina’s laws on privacy while taking pictures of the accident scene.
Do not capture images of people without their consent as this could attract legal ramifications.
If somebody challenges your right to make pictures, just as calmly tell them the latter’s objective. If there are some disagreements, step back and let the police intervene or if possible, seek the opinion of your lawyer.
It is always recommended to be very forthright about your reasons for gathering evidence.
Why You Should Seek Legal Services After An Accident
Our experienced trial lawyer in South Carolina will be able to use the photos and videos that you gather to get you the most money for your claim.
Our attorney will scrutinize your evidence, consult with other professionals if needed, and argue most effectively in front of insurance providers or in court.
If you have been involved in an accident, you should consult Max Hyde Law Firm at (864) 804 6330 for a consultation free of charge. Let us assist you in dealing with the South Carolina fault laws and ensure that you get your deserved compensation.
