Why You Should Take Photos After a Dump Truck Accident in Texas

Pictures of Dump Truck Accidents Can Hold Key Evidence for Victims & Their Claims

Serious accidents involving dump trucks are on the rise in Texas. In fact, over the past decade, the Lone Star State has seen a 3% uptick in dump truck accidents, Texas authorities report. While that may not sound significant, the next facts about these crashes probably will — every year in Texas, dump truck accidents cause more than 5,800 serious injuries and nearly 400 deaths.

Whenever you’re involved in a dump truck accident, getting emergency medical care is the most important thing to do if you or a loved one has been seriously injured. 

If possible, it’s also crucial to take as many photos of the accident scene as you can. Here’s why and how to capture the best possible shots.

5 Reasons to Take Pictures After a Dump Truck Accident in Texas

The aftermath of a dump truck accident can contain several key pieces of evidence and information related to how that crash occurred and what may have taken place before, during, or after the wreck. That is the single most important reason why you should snap photos of the crash scene.

In fact, in many cases, photographs of dump truck accident scenes can show things like (but not limited to):

1. Points of impact: Damage to the vehicles and their positions after the crash may reveal more about how the collision first happened and/or the series of events or impacts that followed.
2. Tire tread marks on the roads: While tread marks could show that parties tried to stop or avert the wreck at the last minute, a lack of tread marks may be just as telling in some cases.
3. New potential witnesses: People whose info you didn’t get after the crash may be captured in your accident scene photos, revealing new potential witnesses. Even if these folks didn’t speak to police at the scene, it may still be possible to track them down if you have captured good accident scene photos.
4. Road and/or weather conditions at the time of the crash: While these conditions alone can be factors in a dump truck accident, they can also help demonstrate what maneuvers or speeds may have been risky at the time of the accident, in light of the road and weather conditions.
5. Other new details or evidence: Right after a dump truck wreck happens, it can be easy to overlook some of the more subtle evidence. Photos can capture these details, which may prove to be relevant later.

7 Tips for Taking Pictures of a Texas Dump Truck Accident

As you snap pictures of the scene of a dump truck accident, here are some helpful tips for capturing the best possible shots for a future claim:

1. Take pictures of vehicle damage: This includes damage to your vehicle, the dump truck, and/or any other vehicles involved in the crash.
2. Get different perspectives: Snap closeups of damage, along with farther-away shots that can show more of the scene in a single photo. Also, move around to try to capture the scene from every possible angle (you can safely take pictures from).
3. Use reference objects: In your closeups, place an item alongside the focal point of your picture so it’s easy to see how big, extensive, or small that focal point is.
4. Take pictures of other parties’ documents: This can include other motorists’ drivers’ licenses and insurance cards, as well as the drivers’ licenses of any witnesses.
5. Get the final position of the vehicles: If you can’t capture the entire accident scene in your pictures, try to get pictures of the vehicles’ final positions in relation to each other and/or nearby features.
6. Photograph damage to nearby features: This can include trees, traffic signs, guardrails, utility poles, etc.
7. Don’t forget about video: Along with your photos, consider recording some video of the crash scene, witnesses giving statements, and/or the statements you give to police.

After Taking Pictures of a Dump Truck Accident in Texas: What’s Next

Once you snap extensive photos and record some videos, take these steps next:

1. Back up the pictures in the cloud or send them yourself via email. This will preserve your photos in case anything happens to your phone or camera. It also lets you access them wherever there’s a safe internet connection.
2. Seek medical attention. You need to see a doctor as soon as you can after a dump truck accident. Even if you don’t get emergency care, a physician can document the extent of your injuries. That documentation can be key when it’s time to seek damages for your injuries, suffering, and losses.
3. Gather other evidence if you can. This can include witness information, debris from the crash, video recordings of what happened during or after the crash, and more. Keep in mind that evidence can remain at the scene well after the crash, so revising the scene can be wise. So is requesting a copy of the police report.
4. Analyze your photos with a truck accident lawyer. Checking out your accident pictures with the help of an experienced dump truck accident attorney can help you identify more possible evidence while potentially piecing together other key information about the crash, like initial points of impact, poor road conditions, and more. That can help you figure out what you need to do next to recover the compensation you may deserve.