Nowadays an increasing number of auto accident notifications submitted by insureds arrive with real-time, at-the-scene photographs of vehicle damage. Such immediate information is often useful; but could it be better?

As an adjuster, you know what is needed to process the claim. However, your novice asset in the field armed with a smart-phone camera—and one who is, perhaps, a little emotional and slightly battered—could perhaps use some guidance. Of course, all this is moot if the insured is in need of medical attention; if the accident circumstances are actively dangerous to photo-taking; or if re-establishing traffic flow negates the photo op. Should circumstances prove favorable, then your input to the insured will help the quality and quantity of the photo evidence collected at the crash site.

It is important to distinguish between images that document damage and those that provide solid evidence. Although both can be crucial, in-depth accident analysis requires photography that balances detail and context. Even though a close-up of a damaged fender is fine and necessary, an additional wider-angle shot will help determine the angle of impact and the scope of the damage. This is particularly true for low-speed impact analysis (LSIA) of those all-too-frequent and difficult-to-prove claims that result from minor fender benders. Real-time documentation from the accident is an asset for preliminary estimations of liability, especially in situations where the injuries sustained are subjective to the sufferer and difficult to refute. Coincidentally, these are also the accident types most likely to be photographed by claimants.