After a car accident, a police officer typically is called to investigate the accident. The investigating police officer will often take statements from the parties involved and non-involved witnesses, take measurements, take scene photos, collect the parties’ insurance information, issue tickets to the at-fault driver, and author an automobile accident report.
In Louisiana, most police departments, sheriff’s offices, and State Police Troops author their automobile accident reports using a uniform format—that is, State of Louisiana Uniform Motor Vehicle Traffic Crash Report. The uniform report authored by the investigating officer will indicate whether the officer took accident scene photos.
However, officers do not always take photos, and even when they do, some Louisiana law enforcement agencies will not release the photos unless a lawsuit is filed regarding the crash. Thus, it is important that an accident victim take scene photos when it is safe to do so.
An auto-injured victim should never put himself or herself in harm’s way to take photos after an automobile accident at the scene. But taking pictures of the vehicles’ position after the crash, any skid marks, debris from the accident, and hazards on the roadway may help the insurance companies and attorneys to later determine how the accident happened.
Therefore, when it is possible to do so safely, a car accident victim should take pictures of the vehicles after the crash and the surrounding roadway. Taking pictures after an accident has become increasingly easier with the proliferation of camera phones. An accident victim should also take care to properly preserve the pictures after the accident. His or her attorney will want to transfer pictures to the client’s file.
Camera phones also make it easier to document other driver’s licenses and insurance cards. If a driver appears intoxicated after the accident, a video of the driver moving around at the scene should be made. Also, cuts, bruises and abrasions of accident victims should be taken as well. Deployed airbags and vehicle damage should pictured extensively.
Pictures are worth a million words. Pictures can be used as evidence in court and corroborate an accident victim’s account of an accident. Thus, take plenty of pictures at the accident scene, but do it safely.
If you have suffered injury from an accident and have questions about accident investigations, contact Law Office of Donald D’Aunoy Jr., LLC today for a FREE consultation. Call 504-508-6414 to speak directly with an attorney. Attorney Donald D’Aunoy Jr. offers FREE house calls to personal injury clients throughout southeast Louisiana.
