South Florida Injury Lawyer Blog
Florida has one of the highest auto accident rates among all states. A major cause of accidents is distracted driving, frequently by one of the millions of visitors who come to our Sunshine State for vacation. Drivers who are unfamiliar with the area or who are looking for a particular attraction can cause an accident, even if the other drivers involved are observant and following all the rules of the road. Sometimes people just do unexpected things.
Of course, there are many other causes of accidents; it could be there was a malfunction in your car or the other person’s car. Roadwork or debris on the road from a storm can cause a hazardous situation. Or an accident can be caused by someone who is speeding, not following safe driving practices, or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
A picture is worth a thousand words
Whatever the cause of the accident, it’s important to begin collecting evidence at the scene, if you are able. One of the most powerful pieces of evidence is pictures of the accident scene before moving the vehicles. If you are seriously injured in an accident, do not try to do this yourself. Wait for medical attention. But if possible, instruct someone else to take pictures for you.
Take shots of every angle of the accident and of the surrounding area. Take pictures of the damage to your car and any other cars involved. If anything caused the accident, such as debris or roadwork, take multiple pictures of that, as well. Show skid marks, oil spills, or the trail of debris. Show the road conditions and the weather in your pictures. If it’s dark, use your flash to improve visibility. Take pictures close up (within 5 feet), medium distance (10-15 feet), and distant (over 20 feet) to get different views and different angles. Take lots of pictures, because you never know what picture may be most helpful to your case.
Don’t forget to take pictures of your own injuries, and if possible, anyone else’s. Remember, you may not be the only one who tries to sue for injuries. If the other driver or passengers are walking around acting normally, record that, ideally with video.
It’s important to recognize that injuries can present themselves hours or even days after an accident as the shock wears off and your body’s injuries become more noticeable. So, just because the driver is walking and gesturing, it doesn’t mean he or she is necessarily lying if he later claims an injury. However, it may be useful evidence depending on the types of injury the person claims.
The timestamp on the photos will be especially helpful as evidence to demonstrate a timeline. When the accident site is cleared, take pictures of the area after the move, because items hidden under the cars may be revealed. Take a video of the clearing process, if possible.
Take pictures of your injuries as they progress – again, both the pictures and their timestamps will be powerful evidence in court.
Be sure to also take pictures of the driver’s licenses and license plates of all drivers involved. Check that all photos are readable. Take pictures of the make and model of the cars, as well.
What if you didn’t take photos?
If you have already been in a car accident and were too injured or didn’t know to collect evidence at the time, don’t hesitate to call an attorney for help with your personal injury claim. A good attorney can collect powerful evidence, even after the fact. If the police were called, the police report will be a valuable tool, and often the police officers take pictures at the scene.
The insurance adjuster will probably take pictures of your car, as well, and the auto body shop to which your car was towed may also have photos. As an experienced personal injury attorney, I know how to find the most valuable information for my clients, whether they come to me immediately after an accident or shortly before the statute of limitations runs out. However, the earlier you begin collecting evidence, the stronger your claim will be.
As a lifelong Floridian, I am dedicated to helping injured Floridians get the compensation they need to live as comfortably as possible following an injury. I will dive deeply into the details of your case to discover any and all factors involved in your accident in order to present the strongest argument for compensation. I have a long track record of winning significant awards in court or in settlements. Contact me today at (954) 448-7288 so that we can discuss the details of your accident.