Photographic evidence
In plain English: photographic evidence means the photos that show what happened and what it did to you: the scene, the vehicles or hazard, and your injuries.
What to photograph at the scene (only if it's safe)
- Wide shots from several directions showing where vehicles ended up
- All sides of every vehicle, plus close-ups of damage
- Number plates and the other driver's documents (with permission)
- Skid marks, debris, road markings, traffic lights and signs
- Weather, lighting and anything blocking the view
- For a fall: the hazard itself, with something for scale, plus any missing warning signs
After the scene
Photograph visible injuries on the day and every few days as they change: bruising, swelling, stitches, casts, braces and scarring. Photos of daily life can matter too: a shower chair, a car you can no longer drive, a garden you can't maintain.
Keep them credible
- Don't edit, filter or crop the originals. Save the original files with their date and location data.
- Back them up somewhere other than your phone.
- Keep a simple note of who took each photo and when.
- Don't post them on social media.
Related: chain of custody · dashcam footage · what to do after an accident.
Related terms
Preservation LetterA preservation letter (sometimes called a spoliation or litigation-hold letter) is a written request telling someone to keep specific evidence, like CCTV, dashcam video, vehicle data or maintenance records, because it matters to a claim.Surveillance EvidenceSurveillance evidence is video, photos or notes an insurer or defence lawyer collects by watching you, usually through a private investigator, to check whether your injuries match what you've told them.Accident ReconstructionAccident reconstruction is the scientific work of figuring out how a crash happened: speeds, positions, braking, timing and sight lines.Chain of CustodyChain of custody is the record showing who collected a piece of evidence, where it was kept, and everyone who handled it, so a court can trust it hasn't been changed.
General information, not legal or medical advice. Rules differ between US states, the UK and Canadian provinces, so check the law where your accident happened. How we write and check · Legal disclaimer