In an emergency at the scene, first film a wide shot, then capture the spatial relationships, and finally record the damage and injuries — keep the original photos and videos.

42. In an emergency at the scene, first film a wide shot, then capture the spatial relationships, and finally record the damage and injuries — keep the original photos and videos.

Cost: No cost involved. Simply use your phone to film for several seconds to a few minutes. First, ensure your own safety; this won’t interfere with rescue efforts or on‑site handling.

In plain terms: If you only film close‑ups of a single scratch on a car or an isolated object on the ground, later on no one will know where they originally were. Begin by recording a wide shot that includes the intersection, street signs, vehicles, people, and surroundings; then film how these elements relate to one another, and finally capture the details. If you must move objects or vehicles, do so only after filming. Keep the original photos and videos on your phone — don’t rely solely on copies sent via messaging apps.

Benefit: Article 66 of the Civil Procedure Law lists physical evidence, audio‑visual materials, and electronic data as admissible evidence. Article 14 of the Supreme People’s Court’s Provisions on Evidence classifies photographs, audio recordings, and videos as electronic data. Article 15 requires submission of the original electronic data; for video evidence, the original storage medium must be provided. Photos and videos preserve the scene exactly as it appears at the moment, allowing them to be cross‑checked with police reports, repair records, medical records, and witness statements. The sequence “wide shot → spatial relationships → details” is a widely accepted practice, though not mandated by law nationwide.

Evidence grade: C

Sources: Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (amended in 2023, effective on January 1, 2024). Civil Procedure Law (Article 66). Full text reproduced by Shanghai Development and Reform Commission <https://fgw.sh.gov.cn/ys-syjf-zc-2.4.1-h5/20240408/073febdb2b04464390546232d4089f51.html>; Supreme People's Court of China (revised in 2019). Several regulations on evidence in civil litigation (Articles 14 and 15). <https://www.court.gov.cn/zixun/xiangqing/212721.html>

Notes: The primary beneficiaries are you and your family. This grade C rating reflects that the filming sequence is merely a practical guideline; the legal provisions only state that photos and videos can serve as evidence and must be submitted in their original form. Should anyone be injured, there be a fire, gas leak, or other hazards, prioritize rescue and evacuation — do not delay these actions for the sake of taking pictures. For general actions at a traffic accident scene, refer to Item 1 in this section: “After a traffic accident, stop the vehicle, assist the injured, and call the police.”