Whether you live in San Diego or elsewhere in California, you will be driving through intersections, many of which are high-risk zones for accidents. Suddenly, another car bumps into yours. In those moments, it’s hard to understand what went wrong or who was at fault. Still, you may be certain that you were not wrong. How do you prove your claim? Traffic camera recording can be your best bet. Unfortunately, reaching this evidence isn’t easy. Many agencies may be operating traffic cameras, and you have to determine which one is responsible before it’s too late. For personal injury lawyers, identifying the agency behind the camera isn’t a challenge. If you hire a reputable attorney, he will handle this area end-to-end. You will not need to worry about anything.
In order to obtain traffic camera footage for a personal injury claim, you must identify the appropriate agency (local police, transportation department, etc.) as soon as possible, submit a thorough written request that includes the precise date, time, and location of the incident, and be ready to pay any fees or wait for any delays that may arise from ongoing investigations or privacy regulations. Finding the appropriate agency, managing the request process, and using the video to support your case by demonstrating negligence are all tasks that a personal injury attorney can help you with greatly.
To contact a credible professional, you can type car accident lawyer near me into Google. Some law firms will quickly appear in the results. Based on their ratings, reviews, and background, you can approach them. Nevertheless, if you want to recover CCTV traffic footage, you can follow these steps recommended by lawyers.
Potential Agencies: The sheriff’s office, the state department of transportation, the local police department, or the municipal traffic management or transportation agency may own the video.
Private Cameras: Take into account dashcam footage from other drivers or adjacent businesses that have security cameras.
Maps: You can find the cameras in the accident scene using local government tools such as Geographic Information System (GIS) maps.
Written Request: Send in a formal written request.
Important Information: Specify the incident’s precise date, time, and location (street names or crossings).
Case/Report Numbers: Provide any pertinent police report or case numbers.
Give a brief explanation of your need for the video, such as an accident inquiry.
It is not always simple to determine who was at fault in an automobile accident. Stories collide, emotions run high, and your accident claim may be postponed or even rejected in the absence of reliable proof. Traffic camera footage can be extremely helpful in this situation.
Traffic cameras frequently capture the exact moments leading up to, during, and following a collision, whether it occurs on a busy crossroads or a peaceful private road.
This video could be crucial to obtaining the money you are entitled to in a personal injury case—without enduring protracted, tense legal battles.
Even though video evidence can be crucial, failure does not always follow from its lack. You can win a lot of claims without any video. Other pieces of evidence, such as police reports, witness accounts, damage photographs, skid marks, and expert testimony from accident reconstruction specialists, can be used by a skilled Taunton personal injury attorney to create a compelling case.
You must first locate any potential traffic cameras that may have recorded your crash as well as any additional sources. Take note of every camera you see as you stroll around the collision scene.
Identify the camera used
An accident can happen anywhere, at an intersection, on a highway, or close to a storefront. No matter the area, you have to figure out the type of camera that may have captured the incident. Traffic cameras are used on freeways and intersections. These are usually managed by state or city transportation departments. Red-light cameras are handled by a private or city vendor. If you met with an accident near a restaurant, store, or gas station, you can check the footage with them. Let’s say the accident happened in a neighborhood. In that case, you can look at residential security cams. You can even check your dash cam.
Submit an access request
Agencies usually remove or overwrite footage in seven to thirty days. If the camera is managed by a state or city agency, you may have to submit an access request under the Public Records Act (PRA). Since every department follows a unique process, you can visit their website for more information. For private footage, you can contact the respective homeowner or business. Ensure you request agencies or even individuals properly. Mention the details of the event:
- Precise accident date and time.
- Address or location where the collision happened.
- Description of your car and the other driver’s car.
- If possible, the police report number.
- Dashcam clips, diagrams, or screenshots of the accident site.
Follow up with the agency
Agencies are flooded with such footage requests. If you want a response, follow up politely. Track details of everyone you spoke to and the timing. You should also note down your discussions. Suppose the agency denies access or ignores your request. Your lawyer can submit the request in a legal tone and take the appropriate actions as needed.
You might assume that gaining access to the footage is straightforward. In truth, agencies can deny your application, businesses may also reject your request, and footage can be deleted. Due to this, your insurance claim can be affected. If you are sure the other driver is at fault, hire a lawyer without delay. Legal assistance can make a huge difference to your case.
Follow Up: Keep checking in with your request.
Maintain Documents: Keep copies of every message you send to the agency.
Possible Charges: Note that there can be a little price for the film from the agency.
Restrictions: Because of ongoing investigations or privacy restrictions, access may occasionally be limited.
Legal Expertise: A knowledgeable attorney can guide you through the challenges of gathering and applying this evidence.
Boost Your Argument: Video footage can greatly bolster your claim and offer vital proof of negligence.
