What Photos Do Insurance Companies Look for After an Accident?
If you’ve suffered an injury in a car accident that was caused by another driver’s negligence, you’ll file your claim with the appropriate insurance company – depending upon the circumstances – and you’ll look to the policy in question to cover your losses. In a serious accident, the negligent driver’s coverage will likely be in play, and proving negligence comes down to evidence, which often comes in the form of photos and videos. If this is the challenging situation you find yourself in, you should know that an experienced car accident attorney serving Tampa and Sarasota can make all the difference.
Photographic Evidence
To begin, it’s important to point out that if you’ve suffered an injury in a car accident, your first priority is obtaining the medical care that you need, and you can rely upon others at the scene to gather the necessary photographic evidence. The kinds of photos and videos that are likely to pack the most punch in terms of proving the other driver’s negligence include all the following:
- Dashcam footage that captures how the accident happened
- Footage from security cameras in the vicinity that capture the accident, the buildup to the accident, or any other information relevant to the accident
- Photos taken at the scene of the accident that show how the involved vehicles came to a stop and that capture any physical evidence, such as skid marks, broken glass, car parts, and beyond
- Detailed photos that help establish the nature of the impact, which can include paint transfer and other telltale signs
Your Injuries
In order to bring a successful car accident, claim that covers your losses in their entirety, you’ll need to demonstrate their extent, and photos of your physical injuries can help. While not every serious injury leaves visible evidence, many do, and capturing photos at the time of the accident – and as your injuries evolve – can help you establish that your physical losses are as serious as you claim.
Your Physical and Emotional Losses
If you’ve suffered serious losses as a result of another driver’s negligence, such as excess speed, distraction, or impairment, the pain and suffering you endure can be immense, but proving it to the insurance company can be challenging. While photos can’t document your emotional journey, they can work against you – and the insurance company is watching.
This means it is in your best interest to take a break from posting on social media. While posting a video of you doing tricks on water skis would tell an obvious story, even a photo of you enjoying a glass of wine by the lake can be twisted into a claim-damaging meaning. This is one instance when less is more.
An Experienced Florida Car Accident Attorney Can Help
The trusted car accident attorneys at Matthews Injury Law – with offices in Tampa, Sarasota, Lakeland, and Pinellas – have the experience, focus, and resources to help you recover compensation for your losses and reach your fullest recovery. We’re on your side, so please don’t hesitate to contact us online or call 813-530-1000 for more information t