Within the moments after a automotive accident, there are numerous questions working by your thoughts.
What simply occurred? Is everybody OK? How badly broken is my automotive? Was it their fault or mine?
After stepping out of your automobile you scan the scene, seize your insurance coverage ID card from the glovebox and name the police. However as you look ahead to assist to reach, there’s yet one more vital step you must contemplate: taking pictures of the accident.
Why? As a result of the photographs you’re taking on the scene of a collision can change into a useful device in the course of the automotive insurance coverage claims course of.
To study extra concerning the significance of accident pictures – and get some recommendations on learn how to take them – we reached out to Leah Hancock, a cloth injury reinspector within the claims operations division at Erie Insurance coverage. Right here’s what she needed to say.
Why must you take footage after an auto accident?
In brief, pictures provide concrete proof of what the accident appeared like within the moments after a collision, which makes them way more dependable proof than eyewitness accounts.
- It helps work out what occurred: When managing an auto insurance coverage declare, one vital job of the claims workforce is attempting to grasp precisely what occurred within the moments main as much as the accident. That features discovering out which driver was answerable for inflicting the collision to happen.
- It helps decide fault: Figuring out who was at fault is vital as a result of it typically dictates which driver’s insurance coverage firm pays for the damages – together with issues like automotive repairs, medical payments and property injury. And whether or not or not you’re at fault can influence your auto charges after the accident, too.
- It paperwork the scene: Throughout the claims course of, your insurance coverage firm’s claims consultant will collect as a lot proof as doable to determine who prompted the accident. They’ll evaluation the police report, and presumably interview the drivers or different witnesses. If there are any discrepancies on this info, footage might be an vital device. (Study extra about what to anticipate while you file a declare with ERIE.)
“Pictures might be the very best proof for displaying how an accident occurred,” Hancock stated. “In addition they aid you keep in mind specifics about how the accident occurred.”
See additionally: Yep! Accidents Occur. (Then What?)
What sorts of accident pictures must you take?
You’ll need to begin taking footage as quickly because it’s secure to take action – ideally earlier than the automobiles are moved off the roadway.
“Begin by taking wide-angle photographs from a distance that present your complete accident scene,” Hancock stated. “When you’ve captured the general scene, consider taking clear pictures of the injury to all automobiles concerned.”
Listed below are some issues you must attempt to seize:
- Injury to any automobiles concerned within the accident, in addition to their license plates
- Any property injury attributable to the accident, similar to highway indicators, fences or utility poles
- Movies displaying visitors move or visitors gentle intervals
- Any skid or gouge marks on the roadway
If doable, Hancock additionally recommends taking pictures of the accident from a number of angles, together with all 4 corners.
“Capturing the scene from a number of angles provides the adjuster a greater perspective into how the accident occurred,” she stated. “The extra pictures you’re taking, the extra useful you might be.”
See additionally: Can You Guess The Actual Value of a Fender Bender?
How can your accident pictures help within the claims course of?
- They’ll (doubtlessly) pace up your declare. Since pictures present nice proof documenting what occurred on the scene of the accident, they’ll typically pace up the claims course of – serving to you get again on the highway faster.
- They can assist settle disputes. If disputes come up associated to legal responsibility or damages, accident footage can assist resolve them.
- They supply an goal tackle what occurred. “In a single occasion, I keep in mind a buyer was hit by one other automobile whereas she was driving by a parking zone,” Hancock stated. “Each drivers stopped and exchanged info. However when the declare was reported to the insurance coverage firms, there have been conflicting variations of how the accident occurred and who was at fault. Fortunately, she had taken pictures of the automobiles and the accident scene. Her pictures proved the opposite driver was accountable and their insurance coverage paid for the damages.”
See additionally: 5 Methods to Keep away from Parking Lot Accidents
How must you ship accident pictures to your insurance coverage firm?
After a declare is filed along with your insurance coverage firm, you’ll be put in contact with a claims adjuster that’s answerable for managing the claims course of.
“When you’re an ERIE buyer, you may textual content or e-mail the pictures to your adjuster,” Hancock stated.
And in case you’re on the lookout for one other solution to put these pictures expertise to make use of, ERIE permits prospects to take their very own appraisal pictures for sure claims. With this quick and handy appraisal course of, there’s no have to get an estimate from an auto physique restore facility or look ahead to a claims adjuster to make an appointment to examine your automobile.
“ERIE’s picture appraisal device permits the shopper to submit pictures shortly and conveniently by their system’s net browser and obtain an estimate,” Hancock stated. “It’s tremendous simple to make use of!”
In case your declare qualifies for a photograph appraisal, your claims adjuster will ship you a hyperlink to the device through textual content message and e-mail. From there, the web site walks you thru the method of taking pictures and a brief video of the automobile injury. As soon as they’re uploaded, your consultant will put together an estimate and get in touch with you to debate your restore choices.
ERIE prospects: Learn extra in our information on what to anticipate while you get automotive accident damages estimated.
Preserving your lifestyle
We worth your time, power, schedule and commitments. That’s why we do all the things we will to make our claims course of handy and quick. The earlier we will resolve your declare and substitute your loss, the earlier your life returns to regular. Learn the way an ERIE auto coverage goes past the fundamentals. To study extra about our stress-free claims course of, get in contact along with your native ERIE agent as we speak.