It has oft been said that a picture is worth a thousand words, but in the context of personal injury cases, a picture can be deceiving. However, a visit to the actual location of an event provides one with not only the opportunity to better understand photos taken by others, but to take your own from the perspective that best allows a future adversary or jury to understand what transpired. This article focuses on giving the reader the “tool box” for always having the advantage.

The late master of trial, Myron Kronisch, lectured that no one should ever handle a case with an accident scene that they didn’t visit themselves. Every PI lawyer should keep their cell phone at the ready and have a tape measure in their car. This way, when a new case presents itself one can stop in the area on their way to work, to a deposition or on their way home. In today’s age when there seems to be an app for anything and everything, we recommend that you download flashlight, magnifying and level apps. There may be others that you will find useful on a case by case basis, but the aforementioned will provide a basic “tool box.”