Nowadays, most of us carry our smartphone with us at all times. So it’s not surprising that an increasing number of insureds are submitting auto accident notifications to their insurance agents with at-the-scene photographs of vehicle damage. If you don’t have a smartphone (or a photo-capable cell phone), keep a disposable camera in your glove box or console — it’s always good to be prepared for the unexpected.
Real-time Photos: Insurance companies typically do an in-depth analysis of an accident which requires photos that balance detail and context. For instance, while a close-up photo of a damaged fender is necessary but to provide context, an additional wider-angle shot may help determine the angle of impact and the scope of the damage. Here’s some guidance that may aid with your on-the-scene photos so your information may be more useful to your insurance agent:
- Establish boundaries of crash scene and impact zone. Make sure to photograph every vehicle involved from all angles and the relative position of each to other vehicles. This helps to establish the boundaries of the crash scene and the impact zone.
- Broaden the view to include street layout, landmarks, traffic controls and signage. Try to include pictures that show the vehicle’s position relative to its closest landmark. Details that include these fixed objects can help investigators reconstruct accident events accurately.
- Focus on the damage sustained by all the vehicles. Take close-up photos of the damage and broader views for context.
- Take shots of the vehicles’ identifying features. Capture license plates, VIN numbers and any other unique, identifying features.
- Document roadside debris, strewn vehicle parts and so on. Try to show the relationship of the vehicle(s) to the debris depicted in the image.
Care for those needing medical help first, and call 911 if anyone needs immediate medical attention.
Take care of safety concerns before worrying about photography. If and when you begin taking photos, be respectful of the privacy rights of others and take care not to share your images on social media sites.
For more advice on the proper way to photograph an accident, , give the Corwin-Rey Agency a call at 360-414-8754.