Top 5 Photos to Take After a Wreck (Before Cars Move)
A plain-language DFW guide you can save for your family.
People, NOT Case Numbers. If you were hit in Dallas–Fort Worth, the photos you take in the first minutes can make the difference between guessing and proving what happened. Here’s exactly what to shoot, before cars move, plus pro tips you can keep in your glovebox.
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TL;DR / Fast Facts
Shoot before vehicles move (only if it’s safe to do so).
Five must-have photos:
- Wide scene from two angles (lanes/signs visible)
- Impact points & close-ups on each vehicle
- Skid marks, debris, weather/light
- Plates & VIN (both vehicles if possible) If safe, driver’s license & insurance card (with their consent)
- Visible injuries + context (airbags, seatbelts)
- Turn on timestamp/geotag if available.
- Grab witness contact (names/numbers) snap a pic of their phone contact screen.
Why Photos Matter in DFW
Intersections like 75/635, 35E, 121, and 820 get busy fast. Once cars move, evidence disappears lane positions, debris patterns, and light/shadow that show visibility. Clear images help your doctor, your insurer, and if needed, a jury understand the crash.
1) Wide Scene: Two Angles
What: Two broad shots that show both vehicles, lane markings, traffic lights/signs, and where the crash happened. One from in front, one from behind or diagonally.
Why: Tells the story of position and movement, who turned, who braked, who had the protected lane.
How: Stand safely on the shoulder/sidewalk. Keep your body out of traffic. Hold phone at chest level; keep horizon level.
2) Impact Points & Close-Ups (Each Vehicle)
What: Close shots of contact areas: crushed panels, bumper tears, wheel/tire damage, broken lights. Take multiple angles and distances (close, medium, slightly wider).
Why: Shows force and direction of impact and helps experts estimate speed/mechanics.
How: Step around the vehicle (safely), tap to focus on damage, avoid harsh glare (tilt phone slightly).
3) Skid Marks, Debris, Weather & Light
What: Skid or yaw marks, broken glass/plastic, spilled fluids, and environment (wet road, sun glare, night lighting, shadows). Include street signs and signals if they affected visibility.
Why: Demonstrates braking, loss of control, and conditions that contributed.
How: Take a wide shot for context, then a medium close-up of the marks/debris. Add one shot facing the sun/light source to capture glare.
4) Plates & VIN
What: License plates of all vehicles, plus the VIN (often on the driver-side dashboard at the windshield base or inside the door jamb).
Why: Confirms the exact vehicles involved and speeds up the insurance process and, when safely obtained with consent, photos of the other driver’s license and insurance card prevent typos and delays.
How: Fill the frame. If the VIN is hard to read, angle the phone to reduce reflection; try flash once. If the other driver agrees, take flat, glare-free photos of their license and insurance card; fill the frame so policy number, name, and dates are readable.
5) Visible Injuries + Context (Airbags, Seatbelts)
What: Photos of bruises, cuts, swelling, airbags deployed, and seatbelt marks. Take initial photos and then again 24–48 hours later if bruising appears.
Why: Links injury patterns to the crash; adrenaline can hide symptoms early.
How: Neutral background, steady hands, multiple angles. Don’t overexpose, tap screen to set exposure.
Pro Tips (Quick Wins)
- Safety first. If traffic is dangerous, skip photos and move to a safe location.
- Timestamp & geotag. In phone settings, enable location for the camera; keep auto-time on.
- Narrate with a note. After photos, record a 20-second voice memo describing what happened in plain language.
- Witnesses: Ask for names + numbers. Snap a pic of their contact screen so you don’t mistype.
- Organize same day: Create a folder: /Crash – YYYY-MM-DD/ and drop photos, notes, and the police card there.
After the Photos: Your Next 3 Steps
- Ask for police and get the agency + incident/report number (keep the officer’s card).
- See a doctor within 24–48 hours. Tell them it was a motor vehicle crash. Save all paperwork.
- Facts-only with insurance (date/time/location/vehicles/report #, “I’m being evaluated”). No recorded statement until you talk to counsel.
Need the words? Email us at info@garciadfwlaw.com and we’ll send you our Facts-Only Call Script.
DFW Angle: Where People Miss Shots
- Protected left turns (LBJ, Central, Tollway): get the signal head and lane arrows in the frame.
- Night crashes: take one shot in each direction to capture lighting and visibility.
- Rain/fog: include puddles, wipers on, and reflective glare on lane lines.
FAQ: Photos After a Car Wreck in Dallas–Fort Worth
Q1: I forgot to take pictures. Is it too late?
A: Not necessarily. Go back (if safe) for daylight context shots. Photograph your vehicle damage, injuries, and try to obtain surveillance (nearby homes/businesses/city cameras) quickly.
Q2: The other driver is upset. Should I still take pictures?
A: Yes. From a safe distance and without confrontation. Focus on scene and vehicles, not people. If you feel unsafe, wait for police.
Q3: Do my photos have to be perfect to help?
A: No. Clear and honest beats perfect. Multiple angles and a few context shots go a long way.
Q4: Can I use video instead?
A: Yes. A slow, steady pan around the scene plus a few still photos is ideal.
Why Garcia Legal Group for DFW Wrecks
- People, NOT Case Numbers.
- One point of contact who knows your case.
- You’ll know your next step before you hang up.
Explore our Personal Injury overview to see how we work:
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Attorneys: ATALIA A. GARCIA,
MACHELL C. WILLIAMS
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