Getting into an accident is very upsetting, and you may be in shock after it happens. If the accident involves injuries, there are certain steps you should follow to ensure that you get the very best medical care and that the bills from those treatments are paid.
Some people will advise you to take pictures at the scene so you will have evidence to show to an insurance company. It is important to understand the kinds of photographs that are the most effective and the admissibility of photographic evidence in Florida.
What to do at the Scene
If you are involved in a car accident, you should pull over to the side of the road and find out if anyone is injured. You should call the police and wait for them to arrive.
If you are injured in a slip and fall accident at a business, you should notify the manager of the business and fill out an accident report. You will need to get the company’s insurance information.
In both cases, you should take pictures and get the names of any witnesses that are there. You should also request a copy of the accident report.
Will the photographs be admissible in court?
Photographs will be admissible in a Florida courtroom as long as they can be properly authenticated. It is a good idea to use a camera or a cell phone that will record the time and the date that the picture was taken.
The video or photographs that either party in a case use as evidence must accurately reflect the scene of the accident at the time. For instance, if there is very little snow on the ground and you angle the camera to take a picture of a snowbank to make conditions look more severe, that photograph may not be considered an accurate representation of the road conditions that day.
If you try to make damage to your card look worse than it actually was or try to doctor a photo of an injury to yourself or another person in any way, it may not be admissible as evidence.
It is important to have witnesses to back up the evidence in any court case. Although a photograph may seem like impenetrable evidence, a defense attorney may argue that the photo evidence is hearsay. The quality of the photo may also be taken into consideration. If the weather conditions were bad, the picture might not come out very well.
Take Your Time When You Take a Picture or Video
According to the website http://lcpalaw.com/, it is very important to photograph all the important evidence and to take your time while doing so. That way, you get a clear and well-focused picture. Remember to take pictures of all the cars involved in the crash. Photograph any damage to property. It is also important to photograph tire tracks and skid marks.
If you have been injured, take pictures of your wounds. Go to the doctor right away even if you feel okay. Save a copy of every medical bill you get and save the receipts for all the medications that you take.
As upsetting as an accident might be, it will only be worse if the insurance company refuses to pay the bills. Solid evidence and a good personal injury attorney will help you to get the money you need to recover from your injuries and get your car fixed.