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What and why should you photograph?

Taking photos following a personal injury event can help document the incident and depending on the situation, may help prove your case.  For example, in a slip and fall case, it can help document the spill that caused you to slip and fall.  This may became especially important if you slip on a liquid at the supermarket and see garbage, footprints or shopping cart tracks inside the liquid because these items can help document the fact that the spill existed long enough that it should have been discovered by the supermarket employees.

What about the scene of an accident?  Well, that depends on the circumstances.  For example, it is more important to take photographs of the intersection where the accident occurred and how the cars were positioned following the impact as opposed to taking pictures in a rear-end collision where both parties have pulled over to the side of the freeway to exchange information.

How about property damage?  In a car accident, you should take photographs of your property damage before your vehicle is repaired, especially if your damage is severe.  Just as importantly, you should try to take pictures of the other driver’s vehicle.

What are some of the guidelines for taking pictures?

You should always take pictures of your injuries, and in doing so, try to adhere to the following guidelines:

1. Setting: Take the photographs in an area free of clutter or household objects, such as mirrors, tables, etc., which could distract the viewer’s attention from your injuries.
2. Facial expression:  Do not make facial expressions or smile while taking the photographs. Making faces or smiling could leave a bad impression on anyone seeing the photos.
3. Clothing and jewelry: Avoid wearing jewelry or makeup.  Dress in clean and casual clothing.
4. Multiple shots: Make sure that you take more than one photo of your injuries, using different angles.
5. Full shot: Take at least one photograph showing your whole body.  In doing so, make sure that the photo identifies you as the person with the broken arm, broken leg, lacerations, etc.
6. Surgery: If you have had any surgeries, make sure that you take several photographs of your surgical site.
7. Casts: Make sure that you take photographs of all casts.
8. Closeups:  Take closeup photos of any scars, bruises, cuts, scrapes, casts, surgical sites, etc.  In fact, take several shots, using different angles.
9. Zoom out: In addition to taking closeups photos, zoom out and take at least one overall photo of a scar, bruise, cut, cast, etc., showing the entire scar, bruise, cut, cast, etc.
10. Save a copy of your photos:  Save a backup copy of the photographs onto a compact disc.

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