Cappy Loc: Wildwood, NJ

I have a press pass and it helps. It's better to question those involved than the police. The police generally will not give you any information. Their typical response "I'm not allowed to say anything, It's being handled by the state police, or the detectives, or ??? and you'll have to contact them".

WNYShooter Loc: WNY

Don't know about elsewhere, but in New York, if you stop at the scene of an accident and become involved, ie, enter the close proximity, you are considered part of the scene and, if there is an injury or major property damage, are not supposed to leave until an officer specifically tells you that you can. Leaving the scene without that permisson, they can hit you for leaving the scene of an accident, and it can be a felony if there was a death.

To me, that sounds ridiculous, but my daughter was arrested, charged, and received a $250 fine, lots of points on her license, and six months of probation three years ago for leaving the scene where a couple was killed. She was the second person to stop at the scene and once she saw that the couple was dead, and the other guy involved was alright, she went on her way just as the ambulance was showing up. She was arrested at home about two hours later and originally charged with a felony for leaving. The lawyer pretty much told her that her mistake was in getting out of the car. Well intended laws, which bite the innocent.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Not part of the original scenario...

eddier Loc: Fishers, Indiana, USA

A few years ago my wife was in an accident. (Totaled her car but no injuries). I took a few pix. when I got there just to have the record.

When the insurance company believed the other drivers story that my wife was at fault I dug up those pictures.

All they showed was debris in the lane the other driver claimed my wife was not in. Proved her wrong and the adjusters put the blame 100% on the other driver. (Correctly so).

This was only between adjusters and not in court - for me any record of the even would be helpful, offer the pix. to the people involved or at least contact info if they need it.

Meives Loc: FORT LAUDERDALE

I was driving the Florida Turnpike and saw a car in flames. The owner was a women on a cell phone standing near it. She was not hurt and others were there. I could have got an interesting shot of the flaming car with the women on the cell phone in front of it. I thought it would be rude, so I only took the burning car.

Luigi

This situation happened to me. The accident involved a Flying J fuel tanker and a single vehicle. I snapped a ton of pics...contacted FJ via the web..their adjuster contacted me the NEXT day and I sold the "un-altered" photos on a c.d. for $200. Funny thing is he lost it and later purchased a 2nd copy for the same amount. The single car insurance/personal injury later purchased a copy also. It was a fluke to be on scene....with camera ready..Now I always have a camera in vehicle.. I've been paid for several images...fires, accidents. Firemen seem to love pics of themselves in action...and the fire engines have the firehouse #'s on them... so why not?

Toby

A few months ago I was in a minor accident. Within a few weeks I was overwhelmed with solicitations from law firms and one medical office to help me make claims. Interestingly nearly all were out-of-town, some 1000 miles away. I wrote them a sarcastic letter telling them I did not do business with ambulance chasers. I wonder, would taking pictures of an accident on order to get business be ambulance chasing?

wbphoto

My son is a police officer in our town. He carries a camera with him on the job. So, there actually would be no need for someone to take photos. I hate to sound synical, but whenever I've chosen to get involved in someone elses business, trying to be a good samaritan, I could kick myself afterwards....just saying

RiverNan Loc: Eastern Pa

Interesting question. My hubby came on a scene once which would be to long to explain but he took a shot of a motorcycle in someones car windshield. He told me he couldnt believe it because the driver of the bike who went flying went to his bike first and he had a passenger behind him.. who he went to second. I dont like stuff like that at all..I usually look the other way. A little squeamish here. But no one bothered with him at all.

BlindWolf Loc: Lexington, KY

Rather than the altruistic motive of insurance evidence you might consider the possible publication value of a photograph of an accident or fire scene. You might get a picture that a local paper or TV station might be interested in using with a story.

In addition to accidents keep your eyes open for natural weather events, street fairs or any situation that is interesting or out of the ordinary.

You need to check the laws in your state about photographing people in public. In most states as long as the subject is in a public place they do not have any expectation of privacy so you are free to take pictures.

I carry press credentials from US Press Corps (general assignment) and American International News Service (sports assignment).

These press credentials are available through International Freelance Photographers Organization (ifpo.net). You can also get press assignments through them to cover events as a freelance photographer.

If the occasion arises again you would be able to freely take pictures and might get something you can sell or something that would help someone document the facts at the scene.

I stumbled across an after party for something called the "Zombie Walk" in Dayton, OH. The sidewalk was filled with interesting subjects. This is just one of the pictures I got from this bit of serendipity.

usaellie101 Loc: Spring Hill, Florida

Yes I did once
It was very sad.. I shot a young Doctor walking away from a child killled in a car accident. I was very shaken for months.

usaellie101 Loc: Spring Hill, Florida

That is a wonderful shot! Great .

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Personally I don't think someone that is not involved in the accident should poke their nose in where it doesn't belong. Yes, it's legal as long as you don't stop your car in the way and park in a legal parking spot outside of the accident scene. But you are looking for trouble from the authorities if you get in their way.

In California we have a lot of accidents on very busy freeways and congested streets. What usually causes heavy traffic after a fender bender are the looky-lous that slow or stop to gawk. Even if the accident is on the other side of the busiest freeway with concrete center dividers, people slow or stop and cause such unexpected slowing that it causes more rear end collisions, more property damage, and more potential for injuries. Please don't stop to photograph accidents. It's none of your business and can cause more trouble than you know.

WNYShooter Loc: WNY

In my daughter's case, the distance the court used to determine that she was involved was 200 feet, that is the distance the ambulance driver testified to as to where my daughter's car was when she was getting in it to leave.

myts10 Loc: SE Ohio

As a security officer at a local hospital, I have taken hundreds of 'evidence photos'. I never had to testify in court. The most I had to do was sign a affidavit stating that the photographs had not been altered in any way. These included accidents both injury and property damage, domestic violence, assault victims, acts of nature and criminal activity.
Lawyers loved them, prosecuting and defense, insurance companies ether loved them or hated them, depending on how much they had to pay out.
Yes, a picture is worth a 1000 word of testimony.