After a car accident, video proof can mean all the difference between a drawn out trial and a simple settlement.
The chances are that everyone will be involved in at least one car accident in their lifetime. Accidents may be minor, causing only an inconvenience. However, more significant accidents are also possible and can cause severe injuries (like traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury) and a large change to one’s quality of life.
In the United States, there are approximately six million car accidents every year. About half of those accidents result in injuries, a third result in permanent injury. In 2018 there were 381 fatalities because of car accidents.
After you’re involved in a car accident, you may be stressed about how to prove your innocence. Many different types of evidence can help you build a strong case against the at-fault party. One such type of evidence is camera footage.
What Kind of Cameras May Have Recorded Your Accident?
Many different types of cameras could have recorded your accident. Camera footage is strong evidence for your case, as it can show exactly how the car accident occurred, showcasing who was at-fault for the accident and why. But what types of camera footage can be recovered to help your claim?
- Security cameras: Businesses in the area of your crash are likely to have security cameras running at all times of the day. Gas stations and convenience stores are most likely to capture accidents, as they’re often located on the corners of intersections or on busy streets where an accident may occur. Businesses may sometimes freely offer their video footage, but sometimes your attorney may need to request it with a subpoena. Security footage is often deleted within a few weeks after it’s recorded, so it’s essential to request this footage as soon as possible after your accident.
- Red-light cameras: Most traffic lights have cameras installed to keep track of vehicles that run red lights. Your attorney would need to submit a formal request with the state to obtain footage from a red light camera.
- Police car dash cameras: If there was a police vehicle in the area at the time of your crash, the crash might have been captured by their dash camera. Your attorney can formally request this footage.
- Private traffic cameras: Private traffic cameras may be installed by news or radio stations to monitor traffic patterns. This footage may be available by request, but it may be more difficult to retrieve than other camera footage.
- Private witness cameras: Witnesses may record an accident occurring with their dash camera, bicycle helmet camera, or cell phone. When speaking to a witness after the accident, they’ll likely tell you if they got the accident on tape.
Cameras are Always On
After your accident, you want to make sure that you’re aware of your surroundings and that cameras are still rolling. If you’re angry, aggressive, or in any way violent after the crash occurred, this will be documented as well.
It’s hard to be aware of your surroundings after an accident occurs, but try to take a step back and look for cameras. If you see one, take a picture of it and notate where it’s located in reference to the accident. Taking notes will make it easier to determine who the camera belongs to.
How Can Video Footage Help
Video footage is beneficial in most cases. Video footage can show exactly how an accident occurred. It could show the at-fault party on their phone, speeding, or otherwise driving recklessly. Video footage is also helpful in a hit and run accident to help identify the driver that fled the scene.
Insurance companies like to look for any loopholes they can find, denying claims whenever they can. However, video footage is very cut and dry, and it’s hard to dispute. If the insurance adjuster, judge, and jury see something on film that puts the at-fault party in the wrong, that matter is hard to combat.
How Can my Attorney Retrieve Footage?
Your attorney can retrieve footage by speaking with the party responsible for the video camera. Depending on the party, a formal request may be needed. Sometimes businesses and individual people will hand over videos without any documentation. However, police cameras, traffic cameras, and private traffic cameras will require more effort to retrieve, though it will be worth it.
Contacting a Minnesota Car Accident Attorney
If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident, please contact our talented attorneys here at Sand Law in Minnesota. We have years of experience working with victims of car accidents and can help you get the compensation (and justice) you deserve.
Hiring an attorney is vital to ensuring that you get the most compensation possible. We will negotiate a high settlement offer or take your case to trial to ensure your compensation goals are met. Not only that, but we will deal with insurance companies on your behalf, check in on your to make sure you’re following your treatment plan, and generally take the weight off of your shoulders so you can focus on recovering. For more information or a free case evaluation, please contact us online using our chat box option or by calling us at 651-291-7263.