Should I Use My Cell Phone to Take Pictures at the Scene of the Accident?
Smartphones have changed how car accident attorneys prove personal injury claims in South Carolina. For the first time, most drivers now have phones capable of taking detailed photos and videos immediately following a crash. Photographs cannot tell the whole story, but in the hands of the right lawyers, one photo could prove your claim.
You should take detailed pictures at the scene of the accident if it is safe to do so. However, the experienced West Andrews car accident attorneys at the Oxner & Stacy Law Firm recommend taking the following precautions while gathering evidence to support your traffic accident claims.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Using Your Cell Phone Following a West Andrews Car Crash
Many serious and fatal traffic crashes occur at intersections, such as where South Morgan Avenue meets West Main Street. Your first priority after an accident is to get to safety and contact law enforcement if you’re medically able. Once you’re safe, you should assess yourself and the other driver for serious injuries. Failing to call for help or render medical care, even if the accident wasn’t entirely your fault, might result in criminal or civil charges.
Photographs to Take
Once everyone is safe, you should consider taking detailed photographs of both vehicles and the crash scene. These photographs should include the following:
- Damage to each vehicle
- Vehicle debris on the road
- Paint transferred from one vehicle to the other
- License plates
- Insurance cards and IDs provided
- Tire tread marks
- Involved passengers and drivers (potentially excluding children and minors)
- Exact impact location, including street signs
- Any traffic signs and traffic lights
- Marked crosswalks
- Local businesses
Taking photographs of local businesses at the exact crash location can help West Andrews accident investigators locate video footage, often from gas stations and convenience stores. Further, shop associates on main streets often witness accidents but do not present themselves to the police. If the other driver objects to you taking photographs, wait for law enforcement officers and record any attempt to remove or otherwise tamper with the crash scene.
Cell Phone Use to Avoid
Do not take your phone out (other than to call for help) while you’re still in a running vehicle at the crash scene. If you take your phone out immediately, it might appear as if cell phone use contributed to the crash. Texting while driving is illegal in South Carolina, and these allegations could impact the overall value of your claim.
Most importantly, do not post anything on social media. It may be tempting to reach out to friends and family via Facebook after a terrifying car accident in West Andrews, but this could significantly impact your claim for damages. Defense attorneys might even use your ability to post immediately following the crash to disprove head and neck injury claims. Stay off social media until you speak with a dedicated South Carolina personal injury attorney.
How Long Do You Have to Report Your Accident to Your Insurance Company?
No one wants to risk increasing their car insurance rates after an accident, especially if the crash wasn’t their fault. It can be tempting to avoid contacting your auto insurance company after a traffic collision in Kingstree, but this is often necessary to preserve your right to financial damages.
If you do contact your insurer, you should always do so with a personal injury attorney’s assistance.
Call for Help and Contact an Experienced West Andrews Car Crash Lawyer
While photographs can help your case, they are not a substitute for a valid police report. You should always contact law enforcement if you suffered from any injury, even seemingly minor neck pain, after a West Andrews motor vehicle accident. Even before contacting your insurance company, you should submit your photos to a dedicated car accident attorney to discuss your claim’s validity and options for recovering needed damages.
At the Oxner & Stacy Law Firm, we are dedicated to helping West Andrews car accident victims get the compensation they deserve for their injuries and losses. To schedule a confidential no-risk consultation contact us online or call (843) 983-2306 today.