A camera is a necessary tool to help protect yourself against potential fraud, limit your liability, assist in claims cases, and help driver's become more aware of safety issues. Here are some do's and don'ts concerning taking photos at the scene of vehicle accidents.

DO’s: Take photos BEFORE vehicles are moved. Follow your company's accident procedures. When taking pictures, be careful. Do no position yourself where you may be hit. You have 15 pictures in the camera. Plan to "tell a story" with those 15 pictures. Take a shot of overall scene from a distance. Take a photo of interior of vehicles (if possible, odometer, radar detectors, headsets, cans/bottles, cell phones, etc.). Photograph condition of road such as potholes, obstructions and debris.

Take 2 photos of the auto or other object you collided with. If this is an auto, make the photos from opposite corners of the auto so you can see all 4 sides of the car. All other objects should show the damage from 2 angles. Stand 10 feet from the auto / vehicle or object to get a better view / image. Take 4 photos of your vehicle that collided with the other object. Make these from the opposite corners. Take photos of the other people, if any, involved in the accident if they do not appear injured.

Take photos of the license tags, ID numbers, and unique markings of autos / vehicles belonging to persons who claim to be witnesses but won't identify them. Take photos of any skid marks or gouge marks left on the pavement or dirt areas. Step off the length of these marks and photograph them from both directions. Take all remaining shots of items you feel will help show how or why this accident happened. Be sure to take a picture of traffic controls and signs, if any are present or should have been present. Take all the photos your camera has available or ask someone at the scene to take them for you. Use flash, even in daylight. Remember, flash is only effective to about 10'. Hold camera as still as possible when taking photos. Monitor the expiration dates on the cameras. Keep them out of the sunlight or extreme cold. Replace at least every two years.

DO NOT: Take photos of injured people. Take photos of any graphic scenes.