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Take Photos at the Scene of an Accident

Seth Harris

Last modified on March 7, 2023

Taking Pictures After an AccidentNo one wants to think about getting into a car accident, but the reality is that accidents happen every day. If you’re ever in a serious accident, it’s important to know what to do in the aftermath. One crucial step is to document the scene by taking photos, which can serve as valuable evidence as you pursue compensation from that at-fault driver. In this article, the New York car accident attorneys with Harris Keenan & Goldfarb explain why taking pictures after an accident is essential and provide tips for taking them.

Why Taking Pictures After an Accident Is Important

Taking pictures after a car accident is essential for several reasons:

  • Photos provide documentation of the accident – Photos can provide a clear and accurate record of what happened. They can show the damage to vehicles, the position of the vehicles on the road, and other details that help explain what happened and what may have led up to it.
  • Photos help with insurance claims – Insurance companies rely on photos to assess the damage and determine who is at fault. Having detailed photos can speed up the claims process and increase the value of your settlement.
  • Photos can serve as evidence in legal proceedings – If the insurance company denies your claim and you need to take legal action after an accident, your attorney can present your photos as evidence in court. They can help show the extent of the damage, the severity of your injuries, and other important details that may be relevant to the case.

Tips for Taking Car Accident Scene Photos

Now that you understand why taking photos after an accident is important, let’s review some tips for taking car accident scene photos.

Safety Considerations

Before you start taking photos, it’s vital to ensure your safety and the safety of others at the scene. Here are some safety considerations to keep in mind:

  • Move your vehicle to a safe location – If your car is still drivable, move it out of the roadway. If not, try to stay inside your vehicle until emergency responders arrive.
  • Stay away from traffic – If you need to get out of your vehicle, stay away from traffic as much as possible. Stand on the sidewalk or off to the side of the road.
  • Watch out for hazards – Look out for any other potential injury risks, such as broken glass or debris from the accident.

Only when the scene is secure should you begin documenting the accident. Do not attempt to take photographs before it is safe to do so.

What to Photograph

Once the accident scene is safe, here are the things you should try to photograph:

  • Damage to vehicles – Take photos of the damage to all vehicles involved in the accident from multiple angles.
  • Road conditions – Take photos of the road where the accident occurred, such as any potholes or other road hazards that may have contributed to the crash.
  • Weather conditions –Photos can show whether weather conditions played a role in the crash.
  • Street signs and signals – Take photos of any signs or signals relevant to the accident, such as stop signs or traffic lights the other driver may have run.
  • Skid marks and debris – Take photos of anything the vehicles left on the road, which may help determine how the accident occurred.
  • Injuries you or your passengers sustained – If anyone was injured in the accident, take photos of their injuries if possible.

How to Take the Photos

How to Take Photos at the Scene of an AccidentHere are some tips to keep in mind as you take photographs of the scene:

  • Take multiple photos from different angles – This will help document the entire scene and provide more evidence about the true extent of the damage and how it may have occurred.
  • Capture close-ups of important details – Get close to any crucial details, such as the vehicle damage or your injuries. Your camera will have a higher resolution if you don’t use its zoom function.
  • Use natural light if possible – Ambient light will help establish the conditions at the scene. If it’s too dark to do so, use your flash.

Hurt in a Car Accident? Contact Harris Keenan & Goldfarb Today

Were you hurt in a car accident in New York? If you suffered severe injuries, you might be able to seek compensation. Let us help gather the evidence you need, negotiate with insurers for a fair settlement, and aggressively pursue the full recovery you deserve. Contact Harris Keenan & Goldfarb today to get started with a consultation.

Over $500 Million in Verdicts and Settlements

Our track record showcases over $500 million won for our clients. Each victory underlines our commitment to justice and client care. Explore our impact, case by case.

VERDICT

$17,500,000

A Brooklyn jury awarded Mr. Vargas $17.5 million for the City of New York’s violation of his civil rights for failing to provide him medical care while in custody. The jury found that the police officers involved failed to provide the necessary medical treatment and awarded $17.5 million to Mr. Vargas.

VERDICT

$4,730,398

Harris Keenan & Goldfarb partners Seth Harris and Sheri Holland obtained a $4,730,398.00 jury verdict on behalf of our client who tripped and fell at a private apartment building in the Bronx, suffering a broken foot that developed a very painful, permanent neurological condition called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (“RSD”).

VERDICT

$12,561,772

A Bronx jury awarded John Doe over $12 million for an accident on a construction site. John Doe was working when a piece of scaffold weighing 35 pounds fell, striking John Doe in the lower back. John Doe suffered a herniated disc requiring surgical removal of a portion of the disc and permanent nerve damage.

VERDICT

$10,500,000

A Bronx jury awarded $10.5 million to the mother of Malcolm Ferguson, who was wrongfully shot and killed by the New York City Police Department. The police officer, Louis Rivera, also a defendant in the case, was found to have used excessive force in violation of Malcolm Ferguson’s civil rights as protected under the United States Constitution.

VERDICT

$4,000,000

A Bronx jury awarded plaintiff William Cardoza $4 million for injuries caused by the use of excessive force during an arrest. During the arrest, Mr. Cardoza was pepper-sprayed and repeatedly hit with a police nightstick. As a result, Mr. Cardoza sustained injuries to his hand and finger.

VERDICT

$3,470,670

The firm’s client, a 33-year-old teacher’s assistant, was scalded by an espresso machine that exploded while the defendant’s employee was demonstrating how the machine worked. The client was a customer at the defendant’s coffee shop on the date of the accident and suffered first-degree burns to her right (dominant) hand.

VERDICT

$4,000,000

The firm represented the mother- decedent and her infant son. During the decedent’s admission to the defendant hospital, the defendant dispensed anesthesia during an epidural to the decedent in an inadequate manner. The mother-decedent suffered personal injuries and wrongful death due to the defendant’s failure to properly administer epidural anesthesia.

VERDICT

$3,823,000

Mr.Brennan fell from approximately 25 feet while working on a construction project. He suffered a shattered bone in his right leg requiring surgery and hardware placement. Mr. Brennan also suffered two fractures in his facial bones, and a dislocated finger requiring surgical repair.

VERDICT

$2,750,000

The firm’s client was a child with cerebral palsy who was injured as a result of medical malpractice. The firm’s clients claimed improper management of pregnancy, labor, and delivery resulting in brain damage, and received a Brooklyn personal injury settlement.

VERDICT

$1,677,835

The firm’s client, a 63-year-old mentally incompetent man, slipped and fell in his own urine while attempting to walk to the bathroom at the defendant’s senior citizen home. The client fractured his hip and as a result is confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life. The client claimed that the staff of the home failed to properly care for him, and the jury awarded $1,677,835.

VERDICT

$2,995,000

The firm’s client, a 47-year-old male, slipped and fell on a public sidewalk in the Bronx. It had snowed four to five days prior to the date of the accident, and the sidewalk was covered with ice. The client suffered a lumbar fracture and a herniated disc. The jury found the city liable and awarded the client a $2,995,000 personal injury settlement in the Bronx.

VERDICT

$2,610,000

A Bronx jury awarded plaintiff Luis Molina $2.61 million for injuries sustained when he fell down a subway station stairway. Mr. Molina was caused to slip and fall as a result of a plastic bag that had blown onto the steps from a street opening. As a result of the fall, Mr. Molina suffered a herniated disc and a tear of his right shoulder’s rotator cuff. The jury found that the NYC Transit Authority was liable for the accident.

VERDICT

$2,253,714

A Bronx jury awarded Ms. Colon $2.25 million for a trip and fall accident. Ms. Colon was caused to fall when she moved to the right to allow another pedestrian to pass, and her foot rolled to the outside due to the sidewalk being unlevel with the adjoining grass. The jury found the defendant liable and awarded Ms. Colon $2,253,714.00 for her pain and suffering.

VERDICT

$1,900,000

A Brooklyn jury awarded Arvella Floyd $1.9 million for a fractured wrist which required multiple surgeries, including an open-reduction internal fixation and a carpal tunnel release. Ms. Floyd was injured when the hot water knob of the shower fell off after numerous complaints to the superintendent, and scalding water spewed toward her, causing her to
fall and break her wrist.

VERDICT

$1,350,000

A Bronx jury awarded plaintiff Juanita Young $1,350,000 for injuries caused by the use of excessive force during an arrest. During the arrest, Ms. Young, who is legally blind, was handcuffed from behind, with her children watching, and taken to the top of the stairs to exit the building. The officer proceeded to push her down the stairs multiple times.

What Our Clients Say About Us

david Santiagodavid Santiago
18:05 21 Mar 24
Maria RoqueMaria Roque
20:49 15 Mar 24
Excellent person, very Professional, they assist you in any language, your call is always answered. I recommend you for any case of support you have, your refund is satisfactory. and fast
S SS S
14:09 02 Mar 24
I am completely satisfied, and recommend Harris Keenan & Goldfarb as Attorneys to represent anyone. Their care for me physically, and overall helped me stay strong in spite of my injuries. Always available to answer questions, and inform.They got me Justice, and achieved a substantial outcome for my case.I am very impressed, and thankful for their outstanding performance on my behalf.I am very pleased, and significantly satisfied with their representation.‐-Sherylon Wilkins
Robert LennonRobert Lennon
15:26 21 Feb 24
Patient and diligence is how I describe the effort of HKG the work was thorough, honest and fair, I have no complaints. Special thanks to attorney Blake and his paralegal Thierry.
Gene Matos (fanboye)Gene Matos (fanboye)
18:48 15 Jan 24
I first crossed paths with Seth Harris when serving jury duty many years ago. He was so professional and personable, that when my mom was seeking legal counsel for medical malpractice, I told her she had to reach out to his firm. We had meetings with a few different firms, but Harris Keenan & Goldfarb was the only firm that did not try to get us to sign paperwork before even meeting. They took the time to listen and understand our situation before we signed anything, and they were transparent and responsive the whole time. I would like to give special thanks to Samantha Walton, Marla Stein, Val Wallace and Seth Harris for helping my mom through this tough time. They were honest and upfront, and even though Seth Harris wasn't personally on the case, he took the time to meet with us and give us his thoughts on it.
Solange IsaacSolange Isaac
17:52 08 Jan 24
I am pleased with the services provided by Ms Sheri on my case. The team at Harris, Keenan, & Goldfarb were very nice and explained everything to me. Everything that I had questions on they answered without frustration and were prompt and knowledgeable.6 years ago I had a slip and fall accident at my employers place of business. I reached out to them because I knew that I was being wrongfully treated. They took care of the case, restored my self confidence, and brought so much peace to my problem riddled life.I can recommend without a shadow of a doubt the services of Harris, Keenan & Goldfarb to anyone who is in need of someone who will have your back!
Brittany DempseyBrittany Dempsey
16:02 08 Jan 24
My mother had an accident with her ankle back in 2019. I immediately contacted Harris, Keenan & Goldfarb on the day of the accident. They were extremely prompt and helpful. They attended to my mother's case beautifully and she's been recovering well. I'd like to thank you for being so diligent, kind and above all professional. I'd recommend this law firm to anyone who are injured and in need of legal assistance. My mother, Andrea, and I thank you for everything.
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